Minnesota Revenue Department Offers Tax Filing Assistance

The Minnesota Department of Revenue has announced that there are more than  240 free tax preparation sites now operating across the state offering free tax assistance to those filing their income tax and property tax refund returns.

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and AARP Tax-Aide are two free tax preparation programs where volunteers help taxpayers prepare their federal and state income and property tax returns in communities throughout Minnesota.

To receive free help from a VITA site, you must meet one of these four qualifications:

• Be age 60 or older
• Have a disability
• Speak limited or no English
• Have annual income of $54,000 or less

The AARP Tax-Aide program offers free tax preparation for all taxpayers, particularly those who are age 60 or older. AARP Tax-Aide sites do not have income or age restrictions. All volunteers are certified by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and will only prepare basic tax returns.

 
“There are hundreds of IRS-certified volunteers ready to help taxpayers accurately file their taxes. They can even help identify the refundable credits taxpayers may qualify for,” said Revenue Commissioner Cynthia Bauerly. “I encourage those who qualify to take advantage of these free filing services.”

 
The sites are generally open now through April 15.

To find a local site, hours, and dates, and a complete list of items to bring when visiting a site, visit the department’s website.

Taxpayers can also call 651-297-3724 or 1-800-657-3989 to search for a site by phone.

Sites in the Rochester area include:

Rochester Senior Citizens Services @ 121 N Broadway

Rochester Salvation Army @ 120 1st ST NE

Hawthorne Education Center @ 700 4th Ave SE

Stewartville Senior Citizen Services @ 120 City Center