Commissioner advises taxpayers of free Connecticut income tax filing
Saturday, March 1, 2014 9:56 PM EST
NEW BRITAIN As Connecticut enters the peak 2013 Income Tax Filing season, Department of Revenue Services (DRS) Commissioner Kevin B. Sullivan today reminded state tax filers that free state income tax filing options are available to taxpayers.
No one ever needs to pay a fee for state tax preparation or filing, Said Commissioner Sullivan. The DRS on-line Taxpayer Service Center (TSC) provides free electronic filing and a wide variety of reliable community resources are available for free state income tax preparation include participants in the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA), the Free File Alliance, AARP Tax Counseling for the Elderly and others.
We are always surprised to hear that taxpayers use free software to file their federal income taxes but then pay for the same service to file their state return, Sillivan added. More than 70 percent of taxpayers qualify for free income tax filing assistance. Those who dont can use the TSC to file. Its fast, free, secure, and incredibly easy.
Sullivan also reiterated his advice to low income working taxpayers, especially those eligible for the federal and state Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). Taxpayers should call Infoline 211 to learn about available free tax preparation assistance to avoid paying fees that are exorbitant for the services actually provided.
Its the time of year when dubious tax preparation businesses and promotions seem to sprout on every corner, he said. Too many over-charge, provide bad advice, push high cost tax financing, and even encourage tax fraud. Every year, taxpayers also make the mistake of allowing dubious storefront commercial tax preparers to receive refund payments and skip town without paying taxpayers the refund they are owed.
Sullivan also noted that DRS has begun an agency project to develop standards for commercial tax preparation and make recommendations to the Governor and State Legislature in 2015.
For more information visit ct.gov/DRS and click on 2013 Income Season.
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Commissioner advises taxpayers of free Connecticut income tax filing