It’s tax time again! If you have a middle income or are struggling to pay the bills there are free, trusted sources for getting your taxes prepared. They’ll help you get money back on your tax returns that you worked hard for.
Unfortunately, there are also some for-profit companies out there who want to charge you for services you can get for free. They may use terms like “instant refunds” or “quick cash” but you may have better options that will get cash in your hands just as fast for free.
You may have also seen offers for loans based on the federal tax refund. In fact, fees can be as high as $400 to $500 for this kind of service. That’s money that you could keep in your pocket to help pay down debt, save or get your children some school clothes.
What’s a taxpayer to do? There are two reliable, County-funded options for receiving free tax assistance in Multnomah County. They are staffed by knowledgeable, trained people who work for nonprofits, meaning there is no money for them to make off you.
- CASH Oregon is a nonprofit organization that provides free tax assistance to consumers. Their volunteer tax preparers are IRS trained and certified. Visit their website to learn more about in-person or online services.
- AARP Tax-Aide serves people of all ages. They have a contract with IRS to provide tax preparation services in library branches, community centers, and other locations. Their volunteer preparers are also IRS trained and certified. Call AARP at 1-800-227-7669 to learn more.
Need more information on local tax preparation resources? Contact 211info, a free local information service, by dialing 2-1-1, texting your zip code to 898211, or visiting their website.
