Free Tax Help From IRS In Spanish and English

Best Ways to Get Free Tax Help from the IRS

Photo credit tom copeland Blog

Many of us need information when preparing our federal tax returns. We have questions about dependents, which forms to use and how to claim a credit.

Here are the best ways to get free help from the IRS:

• Visit the IRS on the Web.  The IRS.gov website is your one-stop tax shop. Start at ‘1040 Central.’ Before you go anywhere else, look here for tips and information that will help you file your federal tax return. This page has links to information about filing options, the latest news and frequently asked questions.

You will also find links to a number of online tools like the Interactive Tax Assistant and the IRS Tax Map for answers to your tax questions. Use’Where’s My Refund?’ to check on your refund or use the EITC Assistantto see if you’re eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit. You can also get all the forms and publications you need 24x7.

• Use IRS Free File to do your taxes.  Everyone can use IRS Free Fileto prepare and electronically file their federal tax return for free. IRS Free File is available exclusively on IRS.gov. The fastest way to get your refund is to combine e-file with direct deposit.

If you made $58,000 or less, you can use Free File tax software to e-file your tax return. The software is easy to use and will guide you through the steps of filing your taxes. If your income is more than $58,000 and you’re comfortable doing your own taxes, you can use Free File Fillable Forms. This program is the electronic version of IRS paper forms.

• Get tax help in your community.  The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program helps people who make $52,000 or less prepare and file their tax returns for free. The Tax Counseling for the Elderly program offers help mainly to people 60 or older. AARP is part of the TCE program and helps taxpayers with low-to-moderate incomes.

VITA sites are located in neighborhoods all over the USA. Visit IRS.gov and enter ‘VITA’ in the search box. Then click ‘Free Tax Return Preparation for You’ to locate a VITA or TCE site near you.

If you don't have Internet access you can call 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676) to order IRS forms and publications. You can check the status of your refund by calling 800-829-4477. Call the same number to hear taped messages on more than 150 tax topics. You can find the closest VITA site by calling the IRS at 800-906-9887.

IRS YouTube Videos:

• All About IRS.gov – English | Spanish | ASL
• Welcome to Free File – English
• Help Yourself - English | Spanish

IRS Podcasts:

• Help Yourself – English | Spanish

Credit, Internal Revenue Service Media 

First Responder Pays Ultimate Price Bruce Britt

USA Firefighter Loses Life Trying To Save Others

COLUMBIA, MISSOURI  A veteran of the Columbia, Missouri, fire fighting team was killed during a rescue on Saturday, February 22nd, 2014.

According to the incident report, "while working to evacuate students from a university residence apartment building, Lieutenant Britt died of injuries sustained when he became entangled in debris after the collapse of a portion of the building's elevated walkway."

Another walkway decays at University Village Apartments
Photo credit Andrew Schriver, the Missourian

Bruce Britt, a 23 year veteran fire fighter paid the ultimate price while trying to save lives.  According to reports, the walkway collapsed at a University of Missouri apartment building around 4:45 a.m.  Britt was attempting rescue of residents trapped after a portion of the second story walkway collapsed.  Britt was on a dangling piece of the structure that remained when it, too, fell to the ground.  Britt was declared dead at the scene.

University Village Apartments
Photo Credit Andrew Schriver, the Missourian

The University has been considering repairs and renovation of the University Village Apartments since 2008.  However, funding has not been available.  The apartments provided inexpensive student housing close to campus classrooms.  According to University of Missouri information, a two bedroom can be rented for as little as $504 per month.

After the accident, engineers inspected other walkways and placed wooden support beams as a precautionary measure.  Residents may be allowed to return to gather things from their apartments located at 601 South Providence Road, Columbia, Missouri, depending on whether the building is considered safe enough to enter.

University Village Apartments
Credit University of Missouri

Fire Department: Columbia Fire Department
Address: 201 Orr ST, Columbia, MO 65201
Fire Department Chief: Charles P. Witt, Jr.

US Fire Fighters Memorial


Tribute is being paid to Lieutenant Bruce Britt at http://apps.usfa.fema.gov/firefighter-fatalities/

To date, 18 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2014.  Year-to-date and annual USFA firefighter fatality reports are posted online at http://apps.usfa.fema.gov/firefighter-fatalities/fatalityData/statistics.

Sources in reports from the U.S. Fire Administration, the AP and the Missourian were relied upon in writing this story.

What Is Happening In The Central African Republic?

In a word, genocide.

While nearly everyone has heard about the holocaust, few people know, in the last ten years, roughly 7.5 million people have been slaughtered on the African continent.  In Rwanda, for example, 800,000 people were hacked to death over a 100 day period while the world stood by and watched.

According to Reuters, the number of refugees from the Central African Republic (CAR) has sharply increased this month.  Violence continues to rip through the country as refugees pour into Cameroon.  Since the beginning of February a total of 19,565 refugees from CAR have crossed into Cameroon to escape violence perpetrated by the former Seleka and anti-Balaka militiamen in Bangui and other towns in north-western CAR.

Al Jazeera photo

The Seleka are Muslims, many from Chad, who convinced local Muslim tribal members to cooperate in terrorizing the primarily Christian population.  A long time defense force called the anti-Balaka, or anit-machete, militia formed ranks and ousted the Muslim leader.  It is tit for tat, now, with anti-Balaka and Seleka militants attacking each other.

It is naive and erroneous to see the disputes in Africa as "tribal".  At the heart of nearly every dispute is something more sinister, and the symbol of nearly every loving relationship: Diamonds.  Minerals from many African countries including diamonds are used to pay for weapons.  Outside interests are able to gain control of some of the rich resources in Africa.  A continent that should be full of wealthy people is full of casualties of war.

The United Nations was set up specifically to address the matter of genocide after the Holocaust.  However, when aid was requested in Rwanda, the U.N. failed to act, and along with it, U.N. member nations including the United States of America.  After the truth came out about the massacre, the U.N. became more pro-active.  French troops have been recently deployed in the C.A.R. which is a former French protectorate with the blessing of the U.N.  However, Muslim refugees claim the French are terrorizing them.

For more information on this topic, please contact:

In Cameroon, Djerassem Mbaiorem on mobile +237 90 16 06 08 In Geneva, Babar Baloch on mobile +41 79 557 9106

Sources for this story include Reuters, Al Jazeera, VICE TV.

How To Put A Pedophile Over Bubba's Knee

HOUSTON — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is seeking the public’s help to identify possible victims of a man charged with transporting a minor for commercial sex acts.


According to HSI special agents, Jason Daniel Gandy, 37, frequently traveled to the Texas cities of Austin, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio; he also traveled overseas to the Philippines and Bali, Indonesia. ICE believes there may be additional unidentified victims involved in this case. Anyone with knowledge of the man’s unsupervised contact with minors should contact HSI at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE.

Kalvin Clein Ads

Gandy was stopped by immigration officers in the United Kingdom during the London Olympics in 2012, after he and a boy arrived on a flight originating in Houston. According to the complaint, London officials’ suspicions arose regarding a 35-year-old man traveling with an unrelated 15-year-old boy. Both individuals were returned to Houston on separate flights.


Upon return to Houston, they were met by HSI special agents. The investigation revealed that Gandy allegedly ran a massage business out of his home and was using the 15-year-old boy to give massages. The individuals paying for the massages were allegedly allowed to fondle the child during the massage, and the boy was required to sexually gratify the customers, including masturbate them, according to evidence presented in court.

Heathrow Airport

Gandy paid for the boy’s trip to London and his passport fees so the boy could perform massages in London, according to the information presented in court. The investigation also revealed that Gandy molested the child on more than one occasion, and he intended to continue.


On July 25, 2012, U.S. Magistrate Judge George C. Hanks Jr. ordered Gandy to remain in custody pending further criminal proceedings.


HSI encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free Tip Line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE or by completing its online tip form. Both are staffed around the clock by investigators.

Gandy's Web Site

This investigation was conducted under HSI’s Operation Predator, an international initiative to protect children from sexual predators. Since the launch of Operation Predator in 2003, HSI has arrested more than 10,000 individuals for crimes against children, including producing and distributing online child pornography, traveling overseas for sex with minors, and sex trafficking children. In fiscal year 2013, more than 2,000 individuals were arrested by HSI special agents under this initiative.

Neighbors were shocked to hear what was going on in the nearby home.  An attorney had his office close to the alleged child sex for hire business.  However, no one intervened.  

For additional information about wanted suspected child predators, download HSI’s Operation Predator smartphone app or visit the online suspect alerts page.

HSI is a founding member and current chair of the Virtual Global Taskforce, an international alliance of law enforcement agencies and private industry sector partners working together to prevent and deter online child sexual abuse

Idaho Wolf Harvest Leaves Some Howling

Jamie Rappaport Clark stands up for wolves.  Should you?

Jamie Rappaport Clark

One of America’s iconic wilderness areas is quickly becoming a battlefield for the lives of wolves.

In a chilling forecast of what could happen elsewhere if federal protections are stripped and anti-wolf politicians reign over wolf management, Idaho has released their latest plan: To kill 60 percent of wolves in the pristine Frank Church – River of No Return Wilderness in an effort to increase elk populations for trophy hunting.

Idaho has become ground zero in the war against wolves. We’re fighting back with all we’ve got. Our lawyers are continuing to fight this matter in federal court to make sure that this sort of outrageous abuse never happens again. Our staff is organizing our activists and other pro-wolf forces, both inside Idaho – home to a majority of western gray wolves – and nationwide.

Associated Press

Lawmakers in Idaho are latching onto wolves as a scapegoat to pass irresponsible legislation. Politicians are trading the lives of wolves for political votes. With a seemingly endless supply of anti-wolf propaganda, Idaho state officials are working to kill as many wolves as possible in their state.

The Frank Church – River of No Return Wilderness is the largest forested wilderness in the lower 48 states.  One of our country’s last wild and untouched expanses, the beauty of this national treasure is embodied by the tranquility of the landscape and the wildness of its animal inhabitants. If America’s wolves can’t roam safely in one of the most remote wilderness areas in the Lower 48 – where can they?

By issuing a kill order on 60 percent of wolves living in the wilderness, Idaho is solidifying itself as a gruesome cautionary tale of what happens when states with anti-wolf politicians take over “wildlife management.”

A professional hunter was brought in and was successful in eliminating two packs of wolves in the wilderness area.  Idaho Department of Fish and Game spokesman Mike Keckler said that the hunter killed eight wolves with traps and a ninth by hunting.

Nearly twenty years ago, the first reintroduced wolf in America stepped out onto Idaho soil. What once held such promise for these remarkable creatures has now become the site of an all-out war for their lives.

Defenders of Wildlife is a national, nonprofit membership organization dedicated to the protection of all native wild animals and plants in their natural communities.

Defenders of Wildlife can be contacted at:
1130 17th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036

Attorneys Fight For Piece of Lucrative Bankruptcy Market

By Jim Rausch

Bankruptcy_filings_into Fourth quarter 2013 U.S. bankruptcy filings statistics, recently released on uscourts.gov, show total filings down 13% from the same period in 2012, and down 24% from Q4 of 2011. From June through December, total filings dropped significantly in all 11 Districts, signaling a continued slide in bankruptcy filings going into 2014.

Total US Bankruptcy Filings - Last 5 QuartersIn some states the decline in filings was even more dramatic. Arizona and California, for example, saw a decrease in total bankruptcy filings of 40% and 38% between June and December 2013.

Bankruptcy_filings_into_Fourth quarter 2013 U.S. bankruptcy filings statistics, recently released on uscourts.gov, show total filings down 13% from the same period in 2012, and down 24% from Q4 of 2011. From June through December, total filings dropped significantly in all 11 Districts, signaling a continued slide in bankruptcy filings going into 2014.

Total US Bankruptcy Filings - Q4 Year-Over-Year

Total US Bankruptcy Filings - Last 5 Quarters In some states the decline in filings was even more dramatic. Arizona and California, for example, saw a decrease in total bankruptcy filings of 40% and 38% between June and December 2013.

Total US Bankruptcy Filings - by Selected State

While many bankruptcy attorneys have left the field to pursue other categories, the competitive environment has continued to strengthen among those attorneys remaining in the field. And even among these firms, most attorneys are filing fewer cases than they did just a year or two ago.

Other attorneys, however, are seeking out new methods of generating clients. Advanced digital techniques, such as LeadQ’s pay-per-qualified-inquiry bankruptcy lead generation program, are helping bankruptcy attorneys across the U.S. grow their caseloads. On average, attorneys using LeadQ’s custom lead generation program have increased their caseloads by 14% just since June 2013.

Qualified Bankruptcy Inquiries Generated by LeadQ

To learn more about how to utilize online lead generation to generate new clients for your firm, read our whitepaper, Guide to Generating New Clients for Consumer Law Firms, or contact LeadQ directly.

While many bankruptcy attorneys have left the field to pursue other categories, the competitive environment has continued to strengthen among those attorneys remaining in the field. And even among these firms, most attorneys are filing fewer cases than they did just a year or two ago.

Other attorneys, however, are seeking out new methods of generating clients. Advanced digital techniques, such as LeadQ’s pay-per-qualified-inquiry bankruptcy lead generation program, are helping bankruptcy attorneys across the U.S. grow their caseloads. On average, attorneys using LeadQ’s custom lead generation program have increased their caseloads by 14% just since June 2013.

To learn more about how to utilize online lead generation to generate new clients for your firm, read our whitepaper, Guide to Generating New Clients for Consumer Law Firms, or contact LeadQ directly.

GEO Group, Inc. Breaks Inmates With Phone Calls

GEO Group, a private, for profit, prison company, refused to decline charging inmates for phone calls.  While the prison for hire company does not provide phone services directly, it receives a portion of every collect call made from behind iron bars from the phone service providers.

Photo from the Pulp

As it is, GEO Group generates nearly 1.4 billion dollars a year, mostly paid by tax payer dollars.  The government pays GEO Group for every inmate so governments don't have to foot the bill for more prisons.  The reality is, at over $130 a day, which rivals the price of a luxury hotel room, the tax payers foot a larger bill for private prisons than they would if they were built and staffed by government employees.

Not satisfied with the tax payer revenues, GEO takes a cut for every collect call made.  Securus, Global Tel Link and Century Link compete for the telephone contracts.  In order to gain exclusive access to the GEO market, the cell companies cut GEO in on the lucrative contracts.  While GEO can shop the telephone market to it's competitors, the unfortunate inmates have no choice about what company to use in making a call or what that company decides to charge.  Most families who find the bread winner locked up behind bars have their hands full with legal fees, bonding and the emotional roller coaster that goes with the disruption of the family unit.

Securus offers "family plans" with "unlimited minutes" just like other telephone providers.  The companies make a profit at the expense of mostly the poorest of the poor.

Many GEO Group inmates are immigrants who find themselves locked up for improper lane changes and other minor traffic charges.  Opponents say these people pose no risk to society and could be allowed to go home to their families wearing ankle monitors rather than being housed at tax payer expense in for-profit institutions.  The nearly 1.4 billion dollars tax payers give to GEO could be used to reduce the federal debt or to build schools and parks, opponents say.

GEO is a publicly traded company.  Respectable banks, like Wells Fargo, invest their client's money through subsidiaries in GEO Group, Inc. because they like the returns on investment.  We interviewed a former Wells Fargo Bank employee who was told to deny the Wells Fargo/Geo Group connection when customers asked.  Wells Fargo says they are not directly involved in GEO Group, they only invest customer money for a better return.

Equusearch Halts Efforts In Teen's Disappearance

Saying there were no more leads to be followed, a representative of Texas Equusearch says they are halting their efforts in the search for a missing teenager,  Equusearch officials say they will resume their search if new leads surface.

Antonio Saldivar disappeared on valentine's day after asking to borrow his mother's car.  He was planning on delivering a teddy bear to his girlfriend.  The wrecked car was found unattended.  Inside the car were the teenager's shoes.

Authorities continue to investigate the odd disappearance.

Texas Equusearch is an all volunteer search organization which assembles man-power and private funding to assist law enforcement in the location of missing persons.  

Djibouti Photo Wins World Press Award

John Stanmeyer wins the coveted 2014 World Press Award for his photo of African men trying to connect to a cell tower in Somalia so they could call loved ones.

"It connects to all of us," Stanmeyer told the AFP news agency.

"It's just people trying to call loved ones. It could be you, it could be me, it could be any one of us."

Another panel member, Susan Linfield, said: "So many pictures of migrants show them as bedraggled and pathetic... but this photo is not so much romantic, as dignified."

Stanmeyer was on assignment for the National Geographic when he took this shot.