Certain Montanans can file taxes free

By The Montana Standard News Services - 01/02/2009

HELENA — Some nonprofit groups and the state Revenue Department urged taxpayers this week to save money by using free electronic filing and tax preparation services to file their tax returns.

Montana's Credit Unions, the Revenue Department, Montana Legal Services Association and Rural Dynamics Inc., advised eligible taxpayers to take use this Web site: http://www.MontanaFree File.org.

It contains information for taxpayers to see if they qualify for the free filing services. Eligibility criteria are based on age, financial status and geographic location. "Our message is simple," said Jeanne Saarinen of the Montana Credit Union Network. "It's the taxpayers' money — they earned it and they deserve to keep it.

She said the groups want taxpayers to be aware of options available for having their taxes prepared and filed that are easy, provide quick refunds and, best of all, cost nothing.

The Web site includes information on Tax Counseling for the Elderly sites, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance sites, do-it-yourself tax preparation and electronic filing services and various Internal Revenue Service and state-approved free filing sites.

"With this economic climate, it's more important than ever to know how to get your tax return filed and get your refund quickly, at no cost to you," said Kelly Hart of Montana Legal Services Association.

Besides the Revenue Department and nonprofit groups providing support for the project, AARP Tax-Aide Montana is assisting.

— The Standard State Bureau