Capital Tax Returns · Rancho Santa Margarita, California
Tax help for every budget
Irini wants your taxes done right, whether or not you hire her. Here are your options, laid out honestly.
Book a Free Consultation (opens in a new tab) Call or text (949) 954-2400
The short version If you may qualify, free help through VITA is a good choice and Irini will point you there. If you would rather file yourself, free resources exist and she can share general pointers. If you want her to prepare your return and paying up front is hard, ask about being invoiced and paying her back later.
Option 1: Free help through VITA
The IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offers free basic tax return preparation by trained volunteers. The IRS says it generally serves people who make about $70,000 or less (the limit is updated each year), people with disabilities, and people who speak limited English. Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) gives free help, especially to people 60 and older.
Irini has volunteered with VITA for several years. If you qualify, she will gladly point you there, even if that means you do not hire her. Services vary by site, so call ahead and ask whether a site can handle your return.
- Find a VITA site with the IRS locator (opens in a new tab) or call 800-906-9887
- For TCE and AARP Tax-Aide, call 888-227-7669
Option 2: File it yourself, with free tools
Many simple returns can be done on your own. The IRS says guided Free File software is free for people with adjusted gross income of $89,000 or less, and Free File Fillable Forms is open at any income but does not do state returns. Start at IRS.gov, not at a software company’s own site, or you will not get the free version.
- IRS Free File (opens in a new tab)
- IRS Interactive Tax Assistant (opens in a new tab) for answers to specific questions
- IRS Publication 17 (opens in a new tab), the general guide to filing
Irini is glad to share general pointers on what to watch for. Preparing the return for you is a paid service. Her own take on all three routes is in her post, VITA vs DIY tax software vs hiring a tax professional.
Option 3: Work with Irini, even when money is tight
If you want her to prepare your return and paying all at once is hard, say so in your first conversation and ask about being invoiced and paying her back later. There is no judgment, and you will know the fee before any work begins. See how pricing works.
Why Irini offers this
Irini knows what it is like to start over somewhere new, and she built this practice to be a place where people feel comfortable asking questions. Read her story.
Common questions
Will Irini prepare my return for free?
No. Preparing a return is her work, and it is a paid service. What she will do is tell you honestly whether free help such as VITA fits you, share general pointers if you file on your own, and talk with you about paying later if you want her to prepare it.
Is the first conversation really free?
Yes. You can ask about any of these options on a free consultation, with no pressure to hire her.
Do I have to explain my finances to ask about paying later?
No. Just say that paying up front is hard. Irini will tell you what is possible for your situation.
Should I send documents to find out whether I qualify for free help?
No. The VITA locator and the IRS pages below tell you about eligibility. Please do not email or text documents to anyone you have not confirmed.
Not sure which option fits?
Talk it through in a free consultation. Say what matters to you, including cost.
Book a Free Consultation (opens in a new tab) Call or text (949) 954-2400