Don't miss out on your TABOR refund in Colorado: How seniors, others can get free tax help

Pat Ferrier, Fort Collins Coloradoan
·5 min read

With the additional $800 Colorado tax refund due to most residents this year, everyone is encouraged to file a tax return — and there are several Larimer County groups offering free help for seniors and low-income residents.

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, or VITA, helps individuals who generally make $65,000 or less, have disabilities or speak limited or no English, no matter which state they're filing in. IRS-certified volunteers provide basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals.

Darlene Houdashelt fills of forms before getting help with her taxes during part of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Tax Counseling programs at CSU's Rockwell Hall in Fort Collins on Saturday. Neighbor to Neighbor had volunteers on site to help some individuals prepare tax returns.
Darlene Houdashelt fills of forms before getting help with her taxes during part of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Tax Counseling programs at CSU's Rockwell Hall in Fort Collins on Saturday. Neighbor to Neighbor had volunteers on site to help some individuals prepare tax returns.

The Tax Counseling for the Elderly, or TCE, program offers free tax help for all taxpayers, particularly those 60 or older, specializing in questions about pensions and retirement-related issues unique to seniors. Volunteers who provide tax counseling are often retired people affiliated with nonprofit organizations that receive some IRS grants.

Here's more on how to get help from those programs in the Fort Collins area:

Who runs these tax assistance programs in Fort Collins?

In 2023, Realities Focus, the nonprofit that runs both programs in Fort Collins, helped 1,522 people — 720 of whom were older than age 60 — and filed 2,609 federal and multiple-state returns, said Anthony Anderson, a board member of Realities Focus.

Total money refunded was $940,626 from federal returns and $529,125 from state returns, most of which goes right back into the community, Anderson said. Realities Focus has been running the program in Fort Collins since 1969 and last year helped save taxpayers more than $255,000 in filing fees.

The average adjusted gross income of people Realities helped was about $25,000, Anderson said.

"For those people, $800 makes a big difference," Anderson said of the refund due under the Taxpayer's Bill or Rights.

Why are people in Colorado getting $800 refunds?

Colorado law requires the state to refund revenues that exceed certain caps. This is due to the Taxpayer's Bill of Rights, known as TABOR. Some of this money is refunded through the income tax filing process.

For the 2023 tax year, the Colorado legislature opted to make all refunds equal. Single filers will receive $800, and married couples filing jointly will receive $1,600.

More: How to make sure you get your $800 TABOR refund now that Colorado is accepting tax returns

Where can I get help filing my taxes in Northern Colorado?

In Northern Colorado, there are sites run by several nonprofits and organizations including Aims Community College, Loveland VITA, AARP and VITA in Fort Collins, Windsor, Greeley, Loveland, Longmont and Estes Park.

People can find local sites through the IRS locator tool or by calling the United Way at 2-1-1.  Many, but not all sites are open year-round and may offer different income and complexity limitations, Anderson said.

"Our group typically offers assistance to individuals under the age of 60 to an income limitation of $65,000," Anderson said. "Those over 60 do not have a strict income limitation." Realities limits returns by complexity. More information regarding complexity can be found at makechangenoco.org.

Neighbor to Neighbor, in partnership with MakeChange NoCo, is offering free income tax preparation assistance on a first-come, first-served basis during assistance hours. For questions, call or text 970-237-6945. Spanish speakers are available on Saturday, March 2.

Here's a list of some sites offering appointments or walk-in service:

  • Neighbor to Neighbor Housing Hub Community Building, 1550 Blue Spruce Drive, Fort Collins: 9:30 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 2, and Saturday, March 9. Spanish-speaking volunteers will be available March 2.

  • Loveland VITA, 1511 E. 11th St., Loveland: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays.

  • Fort Collins Old Town Library, 201 Peterson St., Fort Collins: 1-4 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays.

  • CSU Rockwell Hall, 501 W. Laurel St., Fort Collins: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. Closed during spring break March 9-17.

Walk-in sites may close to new sign-ins earlier than the closing time in order to ensure volunteers finish on time.

You can get help by appointment only at these locations:

  • Fort Collins Senior Center, 1200 Raintree Drive, Fort Collins: 8 a.m. to noon Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

  • Windsor-Severance Library, 720 Third St., Windsor: 3-6 p.m. Mondays.

Those wishing to schedule an appointment can visit makechangenoco.org or call 970-599-1765.

Do I qualify for free tax help?

You can get free assistance to file a tax return if you:

  • Are 60 or older and your tax filing is not complex.

  • Are 59 or younger and your income is less than $65,000.

  • Have special needs.

What do I need to bring with me for my tax help session?

If filing a joint return, both individuals must be present and must bring the following:

  • Photo ID.

  • Social Security or ITIN card. If you do not have a card, bring an official document with the number, such as a military ID, Medicare Part A card or Social Security benefits statement.

  • Phone number where you can be reached.

  • Email address, if you have one.

  • Voided personal check or direct deposit for refund. If you do not have a bank account, the program will share information about other options for getting your refund.

  • Copy of last year’s federal and state tax returns, if filed.

You should also bring all additional documentation you have, such as:

  • Wage and earnings statements for all jobs worked in 2023 (Form W-2).

  • Pension income statements (1099-R).

  • Social Security statements (1099-SA).

  • All other income statements, such as Interest and Dividend Statements (1099) and Lottery/Gambling/Raffle Winnings (W-2G).

  • All Healthcare Marketplace Coverage Statements (1095A).

  • College tuition and student loan interest statements (1098-T Bursar’s Statement).

  • Alimony paid or received (also bring divorce date and Social Security number of ex-spouse).

For a full list of documents, visit irs.gov/individuals/checklist-for-free-tax-return-preparation.

Coloradoan reporter Rebecca Powell contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Want your $800 TABOR refund? How to get free tax help in Colorado