State Senator Bruce Anderson (R-Buffalo) wants residents of Wright and Hennepin Counties to know they could be eligible for free tax filing resources available from the state, including assistance preparing returns and free e-filing.

“I know a lot of people like to get an early start on filing their returns,” said Sen. Anderson. “I would encourage people to take a look at some of these resources, so they are able to take advantage of some of the helpful services Minnesota offers.”

• Find out if you are eligible for free e-filing. Minnesota residents overwhelmingly favor filing their returns electronically; about 90% of Minnesotans chose that option in 2018. However, a lot of people are unaware they could qualify for free e-filing. Last year, 800,000 Minnesotans could have filed for free but didn’t. Residents can determine their eligibility by visiting the Department of Revenue’s e-filing website at http://ow.ly/1RhF30neEkX.
• Find out if you qualify for free tax preparation assistance. Residents who are age 60 or over, have a disability, speak limited English, or have an income less than $55,000 per year, could be able to get help preparing their returns for free. Minnesota has more than 200 free tax prep locations; residents can find the one closest to them on the Department of Revenue’s free tax prep website: http://ow.ly/1YRD30neEpH.
• Be vigilant against fraud and identity theft. With more Minnesotans becoming concerned about identity theft, it is strongly recommended residents familiarize themselves with the tricks that scammers use. The IRS will never call you to demand payment, demand you pay taxes without an opportunity to question or appeal, require you to pay using a specific method, ask for a credit card over the phone, or threaten to have you arrested for not paying. For more information on common scams and how to protect yourself against fraud, residents are encouraged to visit the IRS’s fraud website: https://www.irs.gov/identity-theft-fraud-scams