Most of us have relatively simple returns. A W-2 or two, maybe a 1099-G if we've been unemployed at some point during the year. If we've made a tax-deferred contribution to a retirement account in 2009, we may be eligible to claim the Credit for Qualified Retirement Savings Contribution. If we have children, we may have child care expenses to claim for the Dependent Care Credit, as well as the Child Tax Credit. Maybe we're eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit. If we own a home, we may need to claim mortgage interest and real estate taxes.

Although the forms could pile up a bit, most of our returns can be done with a pen, a calculator and a sheet of scratch paper. Fortunately, we don't need to - there are plenty of resources available on the web to help us find free tax preparation services, whether online or in-person.

Here are the relevant IRS links:

Online: Free E-File Programs through the IRS

In Person: there may be a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site near you, with trained and qualified tax preparers ready to assist you. Call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 for sites in your area.


(I'm a bonded, active California Registered Tax Preparer and VITA volunteer. It pains me to see so many people pay for a return to be prepared, when there are so many free resources available. Just think - the money you save by using a free service can be spent on Atkins-friendly food and a digital scale!)