GET HELP FILING YOUR TAXES

Dear Fellow Vermonter, 

Here is some good news regarding the filing of your tax returns.

You can now schedule an appointment with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. VITA is designed to help individuals and families file their state and federal income tax returns and can also help with Vermont Renter Credits, Homestead Declarations and Property Tax Credits. And the best part: VITA is free for low and moderate-income Vermonters and is staffed by local volunteers who understand this far-too-complicated process.

You can seek tax filing help through VITA HERE.

I know not everyone will need or qualify for VITA, which is why my staff has put together some tips and best practices gathered over the years to help you get through it.

The deadline to file both your federal and Vermont tax returns for the 2024 year – or to request a filing extension – is Tuesday, April 15, 2025.

If you are looking for more information before you file, I encourage you to read on below and visit https://www.irs.gov to get answers. You can also reach out to my office and we will work to connect you with resources to help you get through this tax season. 


Sincerely,

When is the deadline to file my taxes this year?

The deadline to file both your federal and Vermont 2024 income tax returns is Tuesday, April 15, 2025, with a few exceptions and extensions. It is also the deadline to pay any tax owed. The deadline for requesting an extension is also April 15, 2025. Requesting this extension would move your filing deadline to October 15, 2025. However, an extension to file is not an extension to pay.

What materials do I need before I sit down?

One important way to make filing your taxes easier: Gather all the materials you will need BEFORE sitting down. The documents you need to file can be different for each individual and household. We have compiled below some important materials to get you started and you can click the link here for a more comprehensive list:

1. Social Security number
2. W-2 forms, if you are employed
3. 1099-G form, if you are unemployed
4. 1099 forms, if you are self-employed
5. Savings and investment records
6. Any charitable deductions, such as educational expenses, medical bills, charitable donations, etc.
7. Tax credits, such as the child tax credit, retirement saving contributions credit
   
   

Where do I even start?

1. Gather all the documents you need BEFORE sitting down to file your 2024 tax return.
2. For common errors you should avoid, click HERE. Submitting an accurate tax return will help cut down on processing delays, refund delays, and IRS notices.
3. Set up or log in securely at www.IRS.gov/account to access personal tax account information including balance, payments, and tax records including adjusted gross income.
4. Individuals can use a bank account, prepaid debit card, or mobile app to receive your refund through direct deposit. Remember, in order to use direct deposit, you will need to know your routing and account numbers. You can learn how to open an account at an FDIC-Insured bank or through the National Credit Union Locator Tool.
5. When you are ready, file a complete and accurate tax return electronically and choose direct deposit for the quickest refund.
6. The best way to check the status of your refund is at https://www.irs.gov/refunds. If you have not yet received your return from your 2023 taxes and the status has not updated, please do not hesitate to contact my office.
   
   

How should I file? Where do I find free help to do so? Paper or electronic?

The IRS is encouraging everyone who can file electronically to do so to prevent delays where possible. When you file electronically, you receive your refund much quicker, typically within three weeks.

If you need assistance in filing online, please know there is free tax assistance that is available to qualifying taxpayers through the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Tax Counseling for the Elderly programs.

To get more information on tax assistance programs, you can either call Vermont 2-1-1 or go online HERE.

You can also seek tax assistance help from your local Vermont Community Action Partnership HERE.

While IRS Direct File is not yet available for Vermont, there are other options for filing online. To get more information on how to electronically file your taxes for free, see HERE.

The IRS may owe you money.
Here is how to check.

Separate from your 2024 tax year filing, you may still be eligible to file for refunds on PAST tax returns. Every year, it is not uncommon for filers to overlook these refunds. For example, the IRS estimates that approximately 1,700 Vermonters did not file their 2020 taxes, leaving more than $1.8 million unclaimed in refunds.

Under the law, taxpayers usually have three additional years to file and claim their tax refunds. For example, while filings for tax year 2021 were due in April of 2022, taxpayers can still file those taxes by this April and claim a refund. If they don’t file after three years, the money becomes the property of the U.S. Treasury.

By missing out on filing a tax return, people stand to lose more than just their refund of taxes withheld or paid during previous years. Many low- and moderate-income workers may be eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). For 2020, the EITC was worth as much as $6,660 for taxpayers with qualifying children. The EITC helps individuals and families whose incomes are below certain thresholds.

If you did not receive the full amount of the third stimulus check of $1,400 per person, you may claim them by filing a 2021 tax return before April of this year.

For information on how to claim a recovery rebate credit on a previous year’s tax return for your missing stimulus check, see HERE.

Common scams to keep an eye out for

Thousands of people have lost millions of dollars and their personal information to tax scams. Scammers use regular mail, telephone, and email to scam individuals, businesses, payroll and tax professionals.

Please remember that the IRS does NOT initiate contact with taxpayers by email, text messages, or social media channels to request personal or financial information.

For more information on common tax scams, please see here: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-scamsconsumer-alerts