Tips for Tax Season

1. File your taxes as soon as possible to help prevent and detect fraud
2. Take advantage of free filing partners and/or direct filing options if available
3. Plan for an extension if you need one and request the extension as soon as possible
4. Track and report income from self-employment (such as rideshare programs)
5. Track your refund online at https://www.irs.gov/wheres-my-refund

Federal Taxes

Forms – https://www.irs.gov/forms-instructions

• Federal tax forms can be found on the IRS website. The most popular forms are listed. Additional forms can be found by selecting “list all current forms & instructions.” Prior year forms can also be printed from this site.

Direct File – https://www.irs.gov/filing/irs-direct-file

• Direct File is not currently available for the state of Ohio but may become available in the future.

Free File Alliance – https://www.irs.gov/filing/irs-free-file-do-your-taxes-for-free

• Free File is available for qualifying taxpayers. You may qualify if you earn $79,000 a year or less. Free File is a partnership between the IRS and some tax preparation sites; please verify that your chosen software is part of the Free File Alliance.

Additional Information – https://www.irs.gov/faqs

State Taxes – https://tax.ohio.gov/

Forms – https://tax.ohio.gov/individual/get-a-form

Direct File – https://myportal.tax.ohio.gov/TAP/_/

• State of Ohio taxes can be paid directly through the state’s Tax Service site. For individual taxes, you will need to create an OH-ID Account. For business taxes, use the Ohio Business Gateway Account (https://gateway.ohio.gov/).

Additional Information – https://tax.ohio.gov/professional/ohtaxalert/ohio-taxes

• A list of all taxes administered by the Ohio Department of Taxation, including individual and business taxes, can be found on the state website

Local Taxes

Forms

• City of Bucyrus – https://www.cityofbucyrusoh.us/income-tax
• Additional Municipal Forms –https://tax.ohio.gov/business/municipalities/Tax-Forms-Muni-Income

Find Additional Forms and Information – https://tax.ohio.gov/help-center/the-finder

• Information on municipal income tax, rate tables, and responsibilities for businesses can be found here: https://tax.ohio.gov/business/municipalities

Important Dates

January 27 – Filing Opens
April 15 – Deadline for requesting an extension
–Owed taxes must still be paid by the April filing date
April 15 – Filing Deadline
October 15 – Extensions Deadline

Tax Preparation Help

Free Tax Providers

• Call 211 during tax season for help finding a local tax aide provider
• AARP – https://www.aarp.org/money/taxes/aarp_taxaide/locations.html
  • Provides free tax assistance for any taxpayers. Appointments fill fast, so schedule early.
• VITA/TCE – https://irs.treasury.gov/freetaxprep/
  • Provides free tax assistance for qualifying taxpayers and handles basic forms. You may qualify if you:
    • Are 60 years or older
    • Make $60,000 a year or less
    • Have a disability
    • Speak limited English

Paid Tax Assistance

• The IRS lists authorized e-file providers by zip code. The provider list for Bucyrus is linked here: https://www.irs.gov/efile-index-taxpayer-search?zip=44820&state=39

Additional Resources

Ohio Legal Help – https://www.ohiolegalhelp.org/

• Search a wide range of free legal resources and advice

USA.gov – https://www.usa.gov/file-federal-taxes

• Find out if you need to file a federal tax return and how to file

Ohio Attorney General – https://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/About-AG/Service-
Divisions/Taxation

• Find information on Ohio tax laws and press releases from the Ohio Department of Taxation

Ohio Board of Tax Appeals – https://bta.ohio.gov/

• Resolve disputes between taxpayers and taxing authorities (state and local)

Consumer Finance articles – https://www.consumerfinance.gov/consumer-
tools/guide-to-filing-your-taxes/

AARP’s guide to state taxes in Ohio – https://states.aarp.org/ohio/state-taxes-
guide