The 2024 tax season is now open and you can file your return. IRS spokesman Chris Miller says there’s plenty of help available for those who need it.

“IRS Free File remains a great option for people with relatively simple tax returns, and it allows folks to go through irs.gov and get a choice of brand name tax software products that allow them to file online, electronically for free, day or night.” he says. Miller says there are some income restrictions. He says there are some programs where you can get face-to-face help. “The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program, or VITA, or the tax counseling for the elderly program called TCE. One program is mainly for seniors, and the other is geared toward low to moderate income taxpayers. And VITA allows the taxpayers to sit down with a volunteer face to face and get help preparing any electronically filing that tax return for free,” Miller says. Go to IRS.gov to find tax help.

Miller says they’ve added some upgrades to their online site. “So there’s more functionality to the online account that taxpayers can set up on their own,” he says. “There are more forms accessible by phone or tablet, and there’s also now a voice BOT that will help taxpayers when they call and ask questions about their refund.” One thing that is not new is the continued danger of scammers seeking to take advantage of you during tax season. “Watch out for phone calls or letters or text messages that threaten or make demands, because that’s a sign of a scam. We want you to watch out for unsolicited emails, text messages, social media messages, because they often contain attachments or links intended to steal your information,” Miller says.

Miller says the IRS won’t call you to get your information.

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