ALTOONA - Nicole Keller, mother of two, looks forward to tax season.
"I know I'm getting a refund," Keller said as she prepared to get her taxes done.
"A Penguins game is coming up, I have some stuff to pay off," she continued. "And I have to get some stuff for my boys."
Prior to getting divorced, Keller's husband used to do the family's federal taxes.
"He did Turbo Tax," she said. "There were all these questions on there, it was very hard."
Now she gets her taxes done by making a stop at the Pleasant Valley Bowling Alley in Altoona...sort of.
Sharing an office with the bowling alley is the Alpha Omega tax service, owned and operated by Jackie Michaels.
"Jackie looks at everything and she's very thorough," Keller said.
There are more ways than ever for Americans to file their taxes.
IRS spokesperson Jennifer Jenkins says many aren't aware of all the free options available such as Free File, a free federal income tax prep and electronic filing program available to tax payers making under $57,000 a year.
"It can help you identify some of the credits and deductions which will help you save money, and we're not just talking about just a dollar or two," she said.
Jenkins said credits ranging from educational credits to earned-income tax credits can end up being worth thousands of dollars, and the Free File service can identify those credits.
For those who wish to hire a professional tax filer, Jenkins says it's important for filers to do their homework before making a choice.
"You have to vet the individual," Jenkins said. "Because if you think about it you're giving that person access to your financial information and you want to make sure that person is trust worthy."
April 15th is the general filing deadline for most federal income taxes.
Below you'll find some links to help you get things started this tax season:
--If you make $51,000 a year or less and need free assistance with your tax returns, find a VITA (Voluntary Income Tax Assistance) location near you by visiting this page.
--The IRS has a free, online tax-filing service for those making less than $57,000 a year, it's called Free File and you can learn more about by visiting this page.
"I know I'm getting a refund," Keller said as she prepared to get her taxes done.
"A Penguins game is coming up, I have some stuff to pay off," she continued. "And I have to get some stuff for my boys."
Prior to getting divorced, Keller's husband used to do the family's federal taxes.
"He did Turbo Tax," she said. "There were all these questions on there, it was very hard."
Now she gets her taxes done by making a stop at the Pleasant Valley Bowling Alley in Altoona...sort of.
Sharing an office with the bowling alley is the Alpha Omega tax service, owned and operated by Jackie Michaels.
"Jackie looks at everything and she's very thorough," Keller said.
There are more ways than ever for Americans to file their taxes.
IRS spokesperson Jennifer Jenkins says many aren't aware of all the free options available such as Free File, a free federal income tax prep and electronic filing program available to tax payers making under $57,000 a year.
"It can help you identify some of the credits and deductions which will help you save money, and we're not just talking about just a dollar or two," she said.
Jenkins said credits ranging from educational credits to earned-income tax credits can end up being worth thousands of dollars, and the Free File service can identify those credits.
For those who wish to hire a professional tax filer, Jenkins says it's important for filers to do their homework before making a choice.
"You have to vet the individual," Jenkins said. "Because if you think about it you're giving that person access to your financial information and you want to make sure that person is trust worthy."
April 15th is the general filing deadline for most federal income taxes.
Below you'll find some links to help you get things started this tax season:
--If you make $51,000 a year or less and need free assistance with your tax returns, find a VITA (Voluntary Income Tax Assistance) location near you by visiting this page.
--The IRS has a free, online tax-filing service for those making less than $57,000 a year, it's called Free File and you can learn more about by visiting this page.
