Getting ready to file your taxes? Here are some tips and Kansas City programs to help
Tax season is upon us. Figuring out how to file your taxes correctly can be a challenge, luckily a number of programs and initiatives in the Kansas City metro area offer free assistance for those looking for some help filing.
The IRS will begin accepting income tax returns on Monday, Jan. 24, and this year’s filing deadline for most people will be April 18.
To make accurate filing more accessible, the IRS instituted Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) programs at locations across the nation, including in Kansas City. The programs are staffed by volunteers who tap in to help taxpayers who made less than $58,000 in the previous year prepare their filings.
Most VITA sites should also be able to assist with special tax incentive programs like the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit.
Kansas City’s VITA sites fall under the umbrella of the Kansas City Tax Coalition, which is coordinated by the University of Missouri Extension.
“I think [people] worry about the IRS being this kind of big behemoth that doesn’t see them as individuals, and that if they do something wrong, they’re going to get in a lot of trouble,” said Julie Riddle, who is a financial specialist with the Kansas City Tax Coalition. “So one of the things that we try to do with taxpayers, and also all of our partners, is just demystify that process a little bit.”
The United Way of Greater Kansas City is also a partner of the Kansas City Tax Coalition, so that means you can call 211 to find a local tax help site near you.
If you’d rather file online, the IRS has another tool called Free File. It’s available to people who made $73,000 or less in 2021. The online software allows people to file their federal taxes in both English or Spanish.
Once taxes are successfully filed, people should receive their refund within 21 days if there are no issues and they choose a direct deposit delivery method.
What documents do I need to get started?
Everybody’s situation is different. However, there are a few documents you might want to find before calling a local VITA site or tax preparation service.
You should first make sure you have some form of photo identification for every taxpayer on the return.
This means if you have a spouse that you are filing with, you should have their ID ready as well as your own.
“The IRS is really focused on preventing identity theft. So one of our roles as volunteers is to make sure that the person whose return we’re doing is the person that’s in front of us,” Riddle said.
Identification can include state IDs and driver’s licenses or a permanent resident card. High school students can also use their school ID, if needed.
Next, everyone listed on the return, including dependents will need a copy or picture of their social security card or their individual taxpayer identification number.
Make sure to double check with the tax preparation service you plan to use to see if they prefer a copy or the original document.
Riddle said that this is important for the entire family because even when minors make less than the $12,500 filing threshold, there still might be money that can come back on the return if they had withholdings.
You’ll need your income documents.
“Anything that showed how much money a person made,” Riddle said. “Even if the person only worked one day.
Income documents can range from W2 and 1099 forms, proof of unemployment, proof of Social Security or proof of pensions. For people who received an advanced Child Tax Credit, Riddle said you will need a document that is called IRS letter 6419 to prove that income.
Gathering this proof of income before contacting a VITA site or other tax assistance will guarantee that you have a smoother preparation process.
“Make sure you have all of your documents ready,” Riddle said. “We’re not going to be making appointments for folks that are still waiting on a W2 or don’t have all of their social security cards for their family members.”
Check here for a longer list of potential documents that will be required for filing.
Where can I get my taxes done in Kansas City?
Kansas City, Kansas Community College
KCKCC offers free VITA programming virtually. Those who are interested in the service should call 211 or 816-4745112.
El Centro’s offers free state and federal tax preparation in both English and Spanish. El Centro has two sites where people can get assistance. El Centro’s Kansas City, Kansas is at 650 Minnesota Ave. Call 913.677.0100 to learn more.
This free VITA location will be fully virtual this year. There are pick-up packets available for clients to get the process started at 11811 S Sunset Dr. Suite 1500 in Olathe. Forms will only be accepted by drop off or by mail. Follow signage when you arrive, as there is some construction near the office. To learn more about this site, email Denise.Dias@jocogov.org or call 211 for details.
To see more free VITA sites in the Kansas City area, visit the University of Missouri Extension’s website or call 211 to make an appointment with a VITA location near you. You can also find a VITA site near you by using the IRS VITA locator.
National Services
AARP has free tax preparation for people who are 50 and older as a part of the IRS Tax Counseling for the Elderly program. The program is also fueled by volunteers who are trained to assist with tax preparation. To get started visit AARPs tax-aide website.
United Way Worldwide and the IRS have teamed up to offer a program called MyFreeTaxes. The program helps people file state and federal taxes for free.
The Military One Source offers free tax services for the military community. This is a national service but can be useful for people who have tax questions involving topics like deployments, multi-state filing and combat and training pay. If you have any questions call 800-342-9647
What if I have a past tax issue I need to resolve?
For those who have been waiting on a return from a previous year or have a controversy related to their taxes, tax clinics are one solution for getting help.
There are a number of tax clinics in the Kansas City area that are committed to resolving issues like delayed tax returns or back taxes. These clinics can be affiliated with VITA, but they do not necessarily offer tax preparation, just help with past tax problems.
The Kansas City Tax Clinic is hosted by the University of Missouri, Kansas City. Services include representation for tax court, assistance filing for delinquent tax returns and with IRS income tax audits. Clients must qualify for these services. To see a full list of services visit its website or email umkclawtaxclinic@umkc.edu.
Legal Aid of Western Missouri offers similar services through its Low Income Taxpayer Clinic, including innocent spouse relief, liens and levies and petitions to the U.S. tax courts. To learn more about services and to see if you qualify, call 1-800-990-2907.
The Taxpayer Advocate Service is a national service that is separate from the IRS. They can assist with similar issues involving refunds and technical errors.
“[The] IRS is still behind from previous years, you know, there’s not a single institution or individual that has escaped the effects of COVID,” Riddle said.
“IRS is understaffed, right now, they’re not working in the office, largely they’re working from home. And so part of our job is, unfortunately, it’s just to help normalize the little bit longer waits, and let people know that it’s just going to take longer to try to do that with consistency and some compassion.”
Do you have other questions about city services or finances? Ask us at kcq@kcstar.com or with the form below.
