Education Tax Assistance
Minnesota has two tax relief programs for families with children in kindergarten through 12th grade: the K-12 Education Subtraction, and the K-12 Education Credit. Both programs help lower taxes and may provide a larger refund.
Click here for more information
Click here for more information
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program
Lakes and Pines Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program has been providing free tax preparation since 2006. We offer free help to prepare both federal and state tax returns for households with an annual income of $60,000 or less, persons with disabilities, limited English-speaking taxpayers and people 60 and over.
Lakes and Pines provides free tax preparation to low and moderate income individuals and families through partnership with the MN Department of Revenue and the Internal Revenue Service, and the skills and dedication of IRS-certified volunteers..
We have prepared thousands of returns, totaling more than $10 million in refunds.
Our volunteers are trained and certified by the IRS. Every tax return we prepare is processed with Quality Control Assurance. Taxes may be prepared in person or virtually.
We can access interpreter services if you need assistance with translating our services into English.
In accordance with federal and state laws, Lakes and Pines CAC is an equal opportunity employer, contractor, volunteer coordinator and provider of services.
Lakes and Pines provides free tax preparation to low and moderate income individuals and families through partnership with the MN Department of Revenue and the Internal Revenue Service, and the skills and dedication of IRS-certified volunteers..
We have prepared thousands of returns, totaling more than $10 million in refunds.
Our volunteers are trained and certified by the IRS. Every tax return we prepare is processed with Quality Control Assurance. Taxes may be prepared in person or virtually.
We can access interpreter services if you need assistance with translating our services into English.
In accordance with federal and state laws, Lakes and Pines CAC is an equal opportunity employer, contractor, volunteer coordinator and provider of services.
Why use Lakes and Pines Free Tax Services?
Many people are paying high fees for tax preparation services and/or give up much of their refund by participating in Refund Anticipation Loans (RALs). When all the costs are added up, taxpayers can be spending more than 10% of their refund just to get the money a few days sooner.
Trained volunteers will prepare your return for free. Returns are filed electronically and the direct deposit option to receive refunds is encouraged.
Schedule an appointment at a free tax preparation site
Check this page and Lakes and Pines’ Facebook page for schedule updates.
We cannot prepare taxes for the following: daycares, clergy, corporations, LLC, partnerships, rental income, farm or hobby income, international students, businesses with employees, Form 1115 foreign tax, businesses with inventory, or self-employment with more than $5000 in expenses.
Amended returns - contact tax staff to schedule your appointment.
Property Tax or Rent Credit Only returns – appointments will be scheduled after March 15.
Trained volunteers will prepare your return for free. Returns are filed electronically and the direct deposit option to receive refunds is encouraged.
Schedule an appointment at a free tax preparation site
Check this page and Lakes and Pines’ Facebook page for schedule updates.
We cannot prepare taxes for the following: daycares, clergy, corporations, LLC, partnerships, rental income, farm or hobby income, international students, businesses with employees, Form 1115 foreign tax, businesses with inventory, or self-employment with more than $5000 in expenses.
Amended returns - contact tax staff to schedule your appointment.
Property Tax or Rent Credit Only returns – appointments will be scheduled after March 15.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
The IRS VITA program, which stands for Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, is offered throughout the area. All sites are staffed by trained volunteers who are certified to prepare tax returns.
This program’s success relies heavily on the participation of our great volunteers! If you are interested in learning more about volunteering at our tax clinics or would like to utilize our Free Tax Preparation services, please contact us!
To make an appointment call 1-320-679-1800 or 1-800-832-6082 (Press 4 at prompt)
This program’s success relies heavily on the participation of our great volunteers! If you are interested in learning more about volunteering at our tax clinics or would like to utilize our Free Tax Preparation services, please contact us!
To make an appointment call 1-320-679-1800 or 1-800-832-6082 (Press 4 at prompt)
BRING THESE DOCUMENTS TO YOUR APPOINTMENT.
We want to do your taxes right and get you the maximum refund. In order to do that, you will
need to provide all of the necessary documents.
1. PERSONAL INFORMATION
*Picture ID
*Birthdate for all persons listed on the tax return
*Social Security card or Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN) card or letter for all persons listed on the tax return
*Routing and account numbers for your savings account, checking account, and/or prepaid card
2. YEAR-END INCOME STATEMENTS
*W-2s for each job
*1099 forms for retirement, Social Security, unemployment, interest, dividends, stock sales, and miscellaneous income
*Year-end amounts for MFIP, SSI, MSA, GA, veterans’ benefits, workers’ compensation
3. EDUCATION AND CHILD CARE CREDITS
*Record of educational expenses you paid for your children in grades K-12
*Tuition expenses paid for you or your child to attend a college or university (Form 1098-T)
*Student loan interest statement (Form 1098-E)
*Child care expenses: Provider name, address, tax ID, or Social Security number
4. PROPERTY TAX REFUNDS AND DEDUCTIONS
NOTE: PROPERTY TAX AND RENTER REFUND FORMS WILL NOT BE COMPLETED UNTIL MARCH OR LATER
*Homeowners: Mortgage interest and real estate taxes Property Tax statement mailed by the county in March
*Renters: Certificate of Rent Paid (CRP)
5. ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS
*Previous year’s tax return
*Verification of health insurance (Form 1095-A)
*Record of charitable donations
1. PERSONAL INFORMATION
*Picture ID
*Birthdate for all persons listed on the tax return
*Social Security card or Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN) card or letter for all persons listed on the tax return
*Routing and account numbers for your savings account, checking account, and/or prepaid card
2. YEAR-END INCOME STATEMENTS
*W-2s for each job
*1099 forms for retirement, Social Security, unemployment, interest, dividends, stock sales, and miscellaneous income
*Year-end amounts for MFIP, SSI, MSA, GA, veterans’ benefits, workers’ compensation
3. EDUCATION AND CHILD CARE CREDITS
*Record of educational expenses you paid for your children in grades K-12
*Tuition expenses paid for you or your child to attend a college or university (Form 1098-T)
*Student loan interest statement (Form 1098-E)
*Child care expenses: Provider name, address, tax ID, or Social Security number
4. PROPERTY TAX REFUNDS AND DEDUCTIONS
NOTE: PROPERTY TAX AND RENTER REFUND FORMS WILL NOT BE COMPLETED UNTIL MARCH OR LATER
*Homeowners: Mortgage interest and real estate taxes Property Tax statement mailed by the county in March
*Renters: Certificate of Rent Paid (CRP)
5. ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS
*Previous year’s tax return
*Verification of health insurance (Form 1095-A)
*Record of charitable donations
WHERE’S MY REFUND
To check the status of your tax return, you may call or check online with the IRS and the MN Department of Revenue IRS https://www.irs.gov/refunds Call Internal Revenue Service 800-829-1954 MN Dept. of Revenue https://www.revenue.state.mn.us/ Call MN Dept. of Revenue 651-296-4444 or 800-657-3676
Information you will need to check on your refund includes all of the following:
• Name
• Social Security Number
• Filing Status (Federal)
• Birth Date (State)
• Amount of your refund
Information you will need to check on your refund includes all of the following:
• Name
• Social Security Number
• Filing Status (Federal)
• Birth Date (State)
• Amount of your refund