HOUSTON — If you need free tax prep help, there are agencies kicking off tax season starting this week in Harris County. Plus, you can start making appointments on Monday.
The IRS is offering free tax-fillable forms online starting Monday for people to e-file themselves at no cost.
However, if you need the tax prep help groups, AARP and BakerRipley are offering free tax aid at the following Harris County public libraries beginning this week and next week.
AARP offers free tax at these libraries:
Atascocita Branch Library
The Atascocita Branch Library will be open starting February 4 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday. It is located at 19520 Pinehurst Trail Drive in Humble.
Barbara Bush Branch Library
The Barbara Bush Branch Library will open on February 3 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Mondays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesdays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays. There are no appointments. It is first come, first served. It is limited to one return per session. It is located at 6817 Cypresswood Drive in Spring.
Fairbanks Branch Library
The Fairbanks Branch Library will open on February 3 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Mondays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays. It is limited to one return per sign-in. It is located at 7122 Gessner Road in Houston.
Kingwood Branch Library
The Kingwood Branch Library is first come first serve from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursdays starting February 1.
Maud Smith Marks Branch Library
The Maud Smith Marks Branch Library will open on February 2 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Mondays and 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Fridays. There are no appointments. It is first come, first served. It is limited to one return per session. It is located at 1815 Westgreen Boulevard in Katy.
Northwest Branch Library
The Northwest Branch Library will have a sign-up sheet one hour before they open starting February 2.
Parker Williams Branch Library
The Parker Williams Branch Library will open on February 2 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Mondays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Fridays. There are no appointments. It is first come, first served. It is located at 10851 Scarsdale Boulevard in Houston.
LSC-Tomball Community Library
The LSC-Tomball Community Library will open on February 5 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Mondays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesdays. It is by appointment only. Call 832-559-4200 to make an appointment. Arrive 30 minutes before your appointment to complete the paperwork. Required paperwork can also be picked up at the library’s service counter before appointment day. It is located at 30555 Tomball Parkway in Tomball.
What you need to bring to your AARP Tax Aid Appointment
- A copy of last year's income tax return(s)
- Social Security numbers for all adults and dependents
- W-2 forms from each employer
- Unemployment compensation statements on 1099-G
- SSA-1099 form if you were paid Social Security benefits
- All 1099 forms (1099-INT, 1099-DIV, 1099-B) showing interest and/or dividends and documentation showing original purchase price and purchase date of sold assets
- 1099-misc showing any miscellaneous income
- 1099-R form if you received a pension or annuity
- All forms indicating federal income tax paid
- All receipts or canceled checks if itemizing deductions
Below are the most common situations for which AARP Tax Aide cannot help.
- Married filing separately
- Self-employed with business loss
- State income tax returns
- Foreign income tax returns
- Active-Duty Military (due to special tax situations & benefits)
- Income from rental property (other than oil & gas leases)
- Bartering or digital assets (virtual currencies or NFTs)
BakerRipley offers free tax aid at these libraries:
Crosby Edith Fae Cook Cole Branch Library
The Crosby Edith Fae Cook Cole Branch Library will open on February 19 from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., February 26 from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., March 4 from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. and April 8 from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. It is located at 135 Hare Road Crosby.
Katy Branch Library
The Katy Branch Library will open on February 5 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Mondays. It is located at 5414 Franz Road in Katy.
North Channel Branch Library
The North Channel Branch Library will offer free tax prep help starting February 1 at 10 a.m. To 7 p.m. If you or your family’s total income is more than $58,000 a year, you won’t qualify to get the free tax help.
Octavia Fields Branch Library
The Octavia Fields Branch Library will be open starting February 2 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. to people eligible. If you or your family’s total income is more than $58,000 a year, you won’t qualify to get the free tax help.