FREE TAX SERVICE – Walk-In Service
- FREE Tax Preparation of Federal and State Income Tax Returns
- Families and individuals earning up to $67,000 per year $35,000 for individuals
- MUST be a Full-Year Illinois Resident (Ladder Up does NOT prepare other states, military personnel, and partial-year residents).
- Taxpayers filing a joint tax return (married) must BOTH be present
TAX SITE PROCESS:
Step 1: First, You’ll meet with an intake volunteer to review your documents and confirm that you are eligible for the service.
Step 2: Once you complete the intake process, you will work with a trained volunteer tax preparer who will prepare your tax return for FREE.
Step 3: You’ll review and sign your taxes during the final step. Ladder Up will file your taxes electronically or as a paper file.
WHAT TO BRING
- Original Social Security card (or ITIN card/letter) for ALL individuals that appear on your tax return
- Government Photo ID
- Income documents
- W-2 Forms (TAP will not accept payment stubs)
- Form 1099-NEC/K/MISC (Self-employment)
- Form 1099-G (Unemployment)
- Form SSA-1099 Social Security and/or 1099-R Pension Distribution
- Itemize and Expense Receipts
- Mortgage and Property Tax Statement (Form 1098)
- College Tuition Expense (Form 1098-T)
- Student Loan Interest (Form 1098-E)
- Job-related Expenses (self-employed)
- Childcare Expenses (EIN required)
- Bank routing and account numbers
OUT OF SCOPE
Ladder Up CANNOT prepare returns with the following situations:
- Military Personnel
- Income from rental property
- Receive Form 1099-A (Acquisition or Abandonment of Secured Property)
- Receive Form 1099-C (Cancellation of Debt); Bankruptcy
- Kiddie Tax (Scholarships are higher than the billed amount from the institution)
If you own your own business, Ladder Up CANNOT prepare your return if you:
- Business expenses of more than $35,000
- Kept inventory at any time during the tax year
- Net loss from the business
- Paid employees during the year
- Required to file Form 4562 (Depreciation and Amortization)
- Deduct expenses for business use of your home
The complete ineligibility list Ladder Up cannot prepare is available here.
You can also prepare and file your taxes using EXPRESS TAP: goladderup.org/etap
OFF-SEASON SERVICES
- Preparation and amendments for previous years done during the off-season (June – September)
- New and Renewal ITIN application (Note: MUST schedule an appointment) – Visit our ITIN page for more information