April may seem like a ways off yet, but with tax forms arriving tax filing season is getting closer. If you meet the income requirement, you may be able to have your taxes done for free.

Tax Help Montana serves about 4,300 people across the state each year, over half of those people being right here in Great Falls. As long as you make less than $49,000, they can help you too.

This is the second year Jennifer Masker has come to Tax Help Montana to file her taxes. She explains, “I didn’t want to go pay somebody $150 because I have such simple taxes”. She has used paid services in the past, but realized the volunteers at Tax Help Montana are just as qualified. She says, “it was no different then what these people did for me, so they were right on”.

Tax Help Montana tax preparers go through one week of training before they can touch anyone's taxes. Debbie Schoenen has volunteered with Tax Help Montana for three years now. She explains, “they give you the scenario tax problem and then you go in and input it and come up with the solution, or answer I should say”.

Online tests certify each volunteer. Certification falls into different levels, so it's pretty likely your preparer can handle your specific type of filing. Jim Morris is the Site Coordinator for Tax Help Montana in Great Falls. He explains that people with W-2 forms and social security taxes are considered basic. If someone comes in with 1099 forms, they will need an intermediate tax preparer. When a person has broker statements is when an advanced tax preparer is required.

Schoenen made a career filing taxes and after retirement she just couldn't stay away. She says what she loves about doing taxes is that each one is different, so it’s not boring. Plus taxes are always changing, so there’s more to learn.

This service can be a very valuable tool for those who cannot file their own taxes. Shoenen loves that she’s helping people. She says, “some people know things and some people don’t know anything about doing taxes”. Masker is grateful for a service like this because “a lot of people really can’t afford to have their taxes prepared and places like this help people like me and others in the community”.

Many may look at tax season with fear, but preparers say the most difficult part is the details. Morris explains, “who’s a dependent, who’s not a dependent, how you calculate who gets to be head of household, those are really the most difficult things. Once you get that stuff taken care of, the rest of it is just a matter of filling out a form”.

Tax Help Montana has multiple locations across the state. You will need two forms of identification, preferably a driver’s license and social security card. Also bring along all your tax documents such as W-2 forms and information for any itemized deductions. Be prepared to wait because they operate on a first come first serve basis. Depending on how involved your taxes are, they can be done in 30 minutes to an hour and a half.

One new thing this year is a do it yourself option at the Great Falls Job Service thanks to a new IRS software program. This enables you to have more control over your tax filing, but still have someone on hand if you need help.