Money

There is less than a month left to file your federal and state taxes by the extended July 15th, 2020 deadline. Need a little help or don’t know where to get started? Check out these free online resources!

By Kaitlyn Ugoretz, Funding Peer
Monday, June 22nd, 2020 - 6:45am


Due to the COVID-19 outbreak in March 2020, the IRS and California Franchise Tax Board extended the deadline to file tax returns to July 15th, 2020. That means there is less than one more month left to do your taxes. Need a little help or don't know where to get started? Check out these free online resources!

GLACIER Tax Prep (For International Students)

GLACIER is a secure online Nonresident Alien (NRA) tax compliance system that foreign visitors use to provide their immigrant and tax data to UCSB. GLACIER helps determine tax residency, withholding rates, and income tax treaty eligibility. They also manage NRA paperwork, maintain NRA data, and prepare tax forms and required statements.

A new service for international masters and PhD students, GLACIER Tax Prep will also help you with your tax prep! ​Check your email if you haven't already claimed your GTP access code.

Note: GTP is designed to help individuals who qualify as nonresident aliens for tax purposes. If you qualify as a resident alien for tax purposes, you can use any other kind of tax prep software such as those mentioned below.

Free Filing Programs

Electronic Filing: If you make less than $58,000, you can file for free using software available on FreeFile from the IRS. As the IRS says, "software makes taxes easier." It's also faster and you don't have to pay for printing or stamps.

Are you a resident or part-time resident of California for tax purposes? Use CalFile to e-file your California state tax return directly and for free!

Here are the top three popular software programs:

  • Turbo Tax: Useful for 1040EZ, 1040A, and 1040, but need to pay for an upgrade for other schedules and forms.

  • H&R Block Free File: Includes more forms and schedules above the1040 than Turbo Tax software.

  • TaxAct Free File Edition: Includes FAFSA worksheet and schedules A and C, but not as easy to use as the other two.

Mind you, you might have to pay for an upgrade to do more advanced taxes. So while it's free to e-file your federal taxes, you may have to pay for using the software. You also have to pay to e-file your California taxes with this software, so see the next section to save money.

Interactive Tax Assistant: This online assistant offers basic help for common tax questions. The interactive tax assistant will take you through a series of questions and provide you with a tax answer. There is also a tax assistant for education credits and for filing an extension.

IRS Phone Assistance for Individuals: You can call the IRS directly to ask tax related questions. Be prepared for long wait times, especially if you call in April. Phone: 800-829-1040. Hours of Operation: Monday- Friday, 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.

GSRC Tax Resources

Want to learn more about tax credits, deductions, and resources? Our tax literacy workshops are over for the year, but you can access the workshop slides and handouts any time here.