Need More Help?

Everyone needs a little help sometimes. Free, secure tax filing services are available online and in-person for individuals and families under certain income thresholds.

But first, get answers to your questions in our Frequently Asked Questions section below.

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An illustrated house

Looking for tax filing help from a trusted nonprofit partner?

You can check eligibility for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or Child Tax Credit (CTC) and receive help filing for free through Code for America’s www.GetYourRefund.org website. They can also help connect you to local tax volunteers.

You can also find an in-person Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) or Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) location near you by visiting https://www.irs.gov/individuals/free-tax-return-preparation-for-qualifying-taxpayers.

Free filing assistance is also available through United Way’s MyFreeTaxes.com. You can file yourself using their tool if you earn $84,000 per year or receive help if you earn under $67,000 per year.

For people with more complicated tax issues, local resources are available to help you file for free. Contact LadderUp for additional help in Chicago.

Please note, more in-person help is available during traditional tax season between January and April, than at other times of the year.

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If you haven’t filed taxes
in a while

You can claim a refund from up to 3 years back! If you earn less than $67,000, you may be eligible for free tax help through Code for America’s Get Your Refund program: www.GetYourRefund.org.

The website allows you to check EITC and CTC eligibility, as well as get connected to free online filing or a volunteer tax preparer for additional help. If you haven’t filed taxes any time in the last three years, the team can also help you claim past tax refunds.

There are several tax software providers that participate in the IRS Free File program that also offer prior-year tax software, including:

Many charge for state returns. However, you can complete Illinois state taxes for free using the Illinois Department of Revenue’s MyTaxIllinois online tool.

Frequently Asked Questions

Filing taxes can be daunting, especially when you have questions you can’t answer. Here are answers to some common questions.

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Children should be claimed by only one taxpayer or married couple filing jointly. In order to claim a child for the purposes of the EITC or CTC, your child must live in the same home as you in the U.S. for more than half of the tax year. In the case of parents who are no longer together or married, the parent the child lived with for more nights during the year should claim the child on their taxes. If children split their time equally between parents, then the custodial parent is the parent with the higher adjusted gross income.

Grandparents or other family members are eligible to claim a child for the CTC or EITC as long as one of the parents does not live with the child for the majority of the year. In other words, grandparents or other family members who frequently care for children should not claim them unless they are the primary caregiver. If multiple family members can claim a child, then further qualifications narrow down who can make the claim.

Generally, if you are eligible for a refund, you will receive your refund within 21 days if you filed an e-return, within 6 weeks or more if you sent your return by mail, or longer if your return needs corrections or extra review. You have the option of receiving a paper check, a direct deposit, or a prepaid debit card (find more information here). If you need assistance in opening a bank account, Bank On Chicago can provide support.

If your refund is sent to a closed account, the amount will be sent back to the IRS, at which point they will issue a paper check to whatever address is listed on your tax return. For more information on how to receive your refund, see ways to get your refund faster.

If you have moved within the last year, there are a number of ways that you can update your address with the IRS or USPS, including through an IRS form, using your new address on your tax return, providing a written statement, or an oral notification. You also have the option of receiving your refund through Direct Deposit rather than a mailed check.If you are experiencing homelessness, you may use a PO Box as your address, or the address of a trusted friend or family member. If you do not have a good address option, you may also request your refund through direct deposit (BankOn is available to help you open a safe, affordable bank account if you do not currently have an account.) See other tips for ensuring you receive your refund here.

If your identifying documents have been lost or stolen, or you lack a birth certificate, ID, or other needed documents to prove your identity, you have other options for receiving your refund. Payment apps such as Venmo or Cashapp can take deposited refunds, just be aware that these apps are not always FDIC insured.

If someone on your tax return doesn’t have their own social security number, they can apply for an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) by completing Form W-7. In Illinois, people with ITINs are eligible for both the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit (find more information here.).

Getting a tax refund should not impact your public benefits like food stamps or TANF, nor should it count against your ability to claim the Earned Income Tax Credit.

While you do need to file some level of income to claim the CTC or EITC, you may have more income that qualifies than you think. If you had a side job, a part-time job, did seasonal work, or sold goods online in the last year, then any earnings can count as income.

If you do contract or gig work for more than $400 per year, you need to file taxes. The good news is that you may be eligible for tax credits based on that income. Check the requirements for reporting your gig work income here.

College students are eligible for tax credits as long as they are not considered dependents, and are eligible for more money if they have children. Generally, college students who are under 24, attend full-time, and receive significant financial support from their parents are considered dependents. Find more guidance on filing for students here.

If you have been incorrectly claimed as a dependent by a former foster parent or family member, you have recourse to resolve the situation. This tip sheet lays out the steps required and sources of help that will assist you in navigating this stressful situation.

If you pay child support, that is not considered taxable income. Child support payments are neither taxable to the recipient or deductible by the payer. If you owe child support, this may increase the taxes you owe. See these guidelines for more information on who can claim a child as a dependent for the purposes of tax credits like EITC or CTC.

If you are leaving a domestic violence situation, you have several options to ensure you receive your refund. If you are still legally married with no dependents, you can file married filing separately to avoid contact with your spouse. If you are legally married with dependents, if you and your spouse have lived apart for the last six months of the year and you provided more than half the upkeep of the house for the dependent you qualify as head of household. If you are married filing jointly, while both spouses are generally responsible for the tax liability on the tax return, a domestic violence victim may not be responsible for the tax, liabilities, and penalty incurred if it all belongs to the other spouse under certain circumstances due to innocent spouse relief.