FAQS
Common Questions and Answers You may have for Free Tax Help
What is FreeTaxPrepLA? Free Tax Prep Los Angeles is a public awareness campaign that seeks to educate working Angelenos about the tax credits they are eligible for, such as the Federal Earned Income Tax Credit and the State California Earned Income Tax Credit. FreeTax Prep LA also has a network of free tax prep sites powered by IRS-certified volunteers to bring free tax services to the community.
Is money received from a tax refund considered income? Refunds are not considered income and do not impact your public benefits!
Can you file for a tax refund if you missed filing in the past? You can claim any refund up to 3 years after the filing deadline!
What if you make too little in earnings to file? You are most likely owed a refund and you most likely qualify to file.
What do I need to bring to my Filing Appointment? You can find a list of what to bring to your appointment under the "get help" page on this site
Why should I file for a Tax refund? 1. It's the law: filing taxes isn't the same as paying taxes! 2. To claim a refund: You can claim your overpaid taxes if your employer witheld taxes from your paycheck! 3. Pay tax debt: Paying on time will prevent interest and late fees!
What if I don't file my taxes? If you don’t file when you owe taxes, you will still owe the money, plus the penalties and interests! The IRS could fill out a return for you, and you could end up owing more money than if you did it yourself or with a tax preparer. The IRS can ask your employer to take the money out of your pay or take the money out of other government money you are owed, like Social Security or tax refunds.
How do I file my taxes? Get your tax forms ready! Collect forms W-2 and 1099-MISC, among other forms. Get your Taxpayer I.D. Social Security Number (Taxpayer and Dependents) Determine your “filing status.” Head of Household Single Married Filing Jointly Married Filing Separate (Out-of-scope for Voluntary Income Tax Assistance sites) Review your return! You’re responsible for the items on your tax return even if a tax preparer makes a mistake or does something illegal. Never sign a blank or incorrect return. All done! Pay any taxes you owe or wait for your refund!
What are some Important Tax Documents to have? Form W-4: Employee’s Withholding Certificate Form W-2: Wage and Tax Statement Form 1099-MISC: Miscellaneous Information