It’s tax season, everyone!

If you’re like most college students, you probably didn’t make enough money during the last fiscal year to qualify for a tax return. But there are some of you overachievers, aka people with jobs, who actually need to file a tax return.

Unbeknownst to most people who stroll into H&R Block, there are a plethora of free or low-cost tax preparation services available to those who qualify. Now, that leaves us with just one little question: Do you qualify for free tax preparation services?

According to Foundations Communities, a non-profit organization that provides affordable housing and corollary services to low-income families and individuals in Austin and throughout North Texas, they help over 18,000 people file their taxes for free each year. This year, you could be one of them.

Believe it or not, if you make less than approximately $30,000 each year, you are technically considered living below the nation’s poverty line. As sad as it may be, that means you are technically a low-income individual. While that may all change as soon as you graduate and score that entry-level corporate job, for now, those are the facts.

As a low-income individual, there’s no need to go wasting the little money that you do have on frivolous things such as paying for tax preparation. The Foundations Communities, who have over nine locations in Austin, will gladly file your taxes for you if you make (drum roll, please…) less than $50,000 a year. Now, for some reason, I’m pretty sure you made less than that during 2011.

In exchange for their free tax prep services, the Foundations Communities only ask that you make an appointment before you show up and that you bring all of the required information to your appointment. You know, like your W2, driver’s license, SSN card. Things like that.

Community Tax Centers: 512-610-7374

Austin Locations
1. Community Financial Center
2600 W Stassney Ln, Austin, TX 78745
Busses 311 and 338

2. Goodwill Community Center
1015 Norwood Park Blvd, Austin, TX 78753
Busses 7, 161, 323, 325

3. Workforce Solutions Capital Area
6505 Airport Blvd, Austin, TX 78752
Busses 7, 10, 300, 320, 350

4. St. John’s Community Center
7500 Blessing Ave, Austin, TX 78752
Busses 7 and 300

5. Allan Elementary School
4900 Gonzales St, Rm 153, Austin, TX 78702
Bus 4

6. Montopolis Recreation Center
1200 Montopolis Dr, Austin, TX 78741

Surrounding Area Locations
7. Round Rock Public Library
216 E Main St, Round Rock, TX 78664

8. South Rural Community Center
3518 FM 973 South, Del Valle, TX 78617
Bus 350

9. Workforce Solutions of Bastrop County
53 Loop 150 West, Bastrop, TX 78602

Alternative Tax Preparers
H&R Block’s Free File    Income: $57,000 or less
Age: 52 or less
FileYourTaxes.com    Income: $11,500 to $57,000
Age: All Ages
Free TaxAct    Income: $57,000 or less
Age: 19 to 55
TurboTax Freedom Edition    Income: $31,000 or less
Age: All ages
Active Military: $57,000 or less
EITC: All ages
TaxSlayer    Income: $57,000 or less
Age: 25 or less
Active Military: $57,000 or less
EITC: All ages

Amanda Chappel