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Updated 02/01/2013 04:01 PM

Goodwill to Offer Tax Return Help

Tax season is upon us, and many are looking to file early rather than wait until the April 15th deadline draws near. This year, everyone who earned an income must file a return, including the poor that may not have filed in the past.

It has to do with the Affordable Care Act that goes into effect in 2014. For lower income individuals and families that may not have filed in recent years, Goodwill of the Finger Lakes will help do it for free.

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"You can type in questions and ask for support."

It's an online filing system available at Goodwill Finger Lakes' website. Goodwill works with the My Free Taxes website that is run by H&R Block. The service is secure and free of charge.

Tax returns for 2012 will help those currently without health care coverage to obtain insurance under the Affordable Health Act that goes into effect next year.

"There has to be some track record of your work history and your income earning history, where you have worked, who your employer's been and how much you've earned. It's not just that program, other programs connect through taxes and it's something every taxpayer, every citizen of the United States that is supposed to be filing should do. It's the right thing to do," said JoBeth Rath, Goodwill of the Finger Lakes.

For those with complicated tax situations, it is recommended you go to a tax professional. For the majority of us, filing a tax return is easy. The online service through Goodwill allows anyone to file a tax return without any help.

"It's a very simple process to file your taxes. The software program makes it incredibly simple, walks you through each question, each document, what place to put each number in," Rath said.

For those without a computer or internet access, or feel they can't do this alone, you can call 2-1-1 and connect with an alternate method to have your taxes prepared for free.

When you think of free tax filing, some believe it's only for the very poor. However, this service is available to those earning up to $57,000.