The countdown to April 15 is getting shorter every day, and a lot of people are still looking for affordable ways to file their federal and state taxes. Many families also need help filing for the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Young Child Tax Credit designed to assist low-to-moderate-income working families with financial aid.
Our California District 18 Assemblymember Mia Bonta has some good news, recently released in a letter to constituents.
“You can now file your taxes for free with the new IRS Direct File pilot program,” Bonta announced. “California is one of twelve states that allow qualifying taxpayers to file directly with the IRS at no cost, thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act signed by President Biden.”
Bonta notes that Direct File is available in English and Spanish, works on mobile smartphone devices or personal computers, and includes dedicated customer support directly from trained IRS agents. Find more information on eligibility, how to claim tax credits, and where to find free tax preparers at Bonta’s online newsletter and at the IRS Direct File website.
Need help filing your taxes? State Controller Malia Cohen’s Office provides free help for taxpayers who made $64K or less in 2023 through its Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs. To get free help from trusted professionals in preparing and filing your state and federal taxes, find the closest location near you. Before you go, find out what documents to have on hand.
“As always,” Bonta noted, “please contact my District office for any state-related issue or problem. We are always ready to help.”
