The week of February 27 to March 3, 2023, is both Utah Saves Week and America Saves Week. Since 2007, both have been held the last week of February to help people focus on saving money. For some people, it can be daunting to get started, but the America Saves Week website can help you set goals and sign up for email and text reminders to keep you on track. Consider these tips.

1) Save automatically. This is the secret sauce to financial success. Automatically having your money direct deposited from your paycheck into a savings account increases your chances of saving by 100%. And if the money is out of sight and out of mind, you are less likely to withdraw it for random purchases. The book, The Automatic Millionaire, by David Bach, is helpful for anyone who wants to become a regular saver. If you don’t have automatic savings set up, this is a great first step.

2) Save for the unexpected opportunity. We talk a lot about saving for an emergency, but what about saving for an unexpected opportunity as well?  When you have money set aside for the unexpected, whether it be an emergency or an opportunity, you’ll have a stash of cash ready to go. Take the automatic savings you just set up and put some away for the unexpected.

3) Save to retire. We spend most of our lives working in order to pay for our house, food, cars, entertainment, etc., but putting yourself first and saving money for your future is also a wise move. One way to do this is to set up your retirement contribution so it is a specific percentage of your income. That way, as your income increases, so does the amount you contribute to retirement, all without you even noticing. 

4) Save by reducing debt. If automatic savings is the secret sauce for financial success, reducing your debt is definitely the cherry on top. Paying down debt frees up money that was going toward interest. Check out www.powerpay.org for a free tool that helps you create a self-directed debt elimination plan using “power” or “snowball” payments. You’ll be amazed at how quickly you can pay down debt and free up money for savings.
​
5) Save as a family. Make saving a family affair. Talking to your kids about money and empowering them to make good financial decisions is not something you will ever regret. No parent has ever said, “I taught my child to save too much money!” Setting a goal as a family to save for something fun you all want to do together can create a lasting impact on your children. Even if you don’t have children and it is just you and a significant other, setting goals together can help you achieve financial success, have fun together, and give you built-in accountability to reach your goals. 

6) Save for college. Make educational savings simple by investing in a college savings plan like my529, Utah’s official 529 educational savings plan. Funds can help pay for qualified educational expenses like tuition, books, computers, and other supplies for traditional and technical colleges. Savings can also be used for K-12 tuition expenses, apprenticeships, and student loan repayments up to specified amounts. Your employer may be able to help you set up an automatic, after-tax contribution directly from your paycheck into your account.

Remember, it’s never too late to start saving. Let Utah Saves Week and America Saves Week motivate you to get started.

By:  Amanda H. Christensen, Utah State University Extension professor

Contact:  Melanie Jewkes, USU Extension professor, Melanie.Jewkes@usu.edu, (385) 468-4838

As the rising cost of living is cutting into our budgets, it’s important to be savvy in our grocery shopping. Consider these tips.

• Check your home food inventory before going to the grocery store, including your pantry and food storage. What do you have on hand that should be used before it expires? What food storage items need to be rotated while still within peak quality? 
• Take inventory of your freezer and refrigerator. There may be fresh foods that need to be eaten soon or items you forgot about in the freezer.
• Look over grocery store ads to see what is on sale, and plan your meals accordingly.
• Make a menu before shopping, and remember to include a plan for leftovers. This can be as simple as brown-bagging leftovers instead of eating out for lunch, or turning leftovers into another meal.
• Make your grocery list and do your best to stick to it. Or even better – use the grocery pick up or delivery option. This can help eliminate items you can do without, but are easy to succumb to when walking through the store.
• Use cash at the grocery store. This will help you be strategic and stick to your list and budget.
• Eat food before it spoils. The USDA estimates that the average American household of four wastes about $1,500 worth of food per year. That’s a lot of money that could be put toward something enjoyable and useful for your household.
• Think outside the recipe. Though we have learned to adapt to supply chain shortages, remember that when an item on your list isn’t available, you can look for other options. In meals such as soups, salads, and casseroles, grains can usually be swapped, based on what you have on hand, i.e., rice for barley, potatoes for noodles, etc. To get ideas, do an internet search for recipe substitutions.
• Don’t neglect vegetables and fruits. If prices are high on fresh produce, check for other options. Frozen vegetables are often reasonably priced and are usually cheaper per pound than fresh. They can be steamed, boiled, roasted, or added to soups, stir fry recipes, casseroles, and pastas. Shop for in-season produce for better prices. Canned vegetables and fruits are also a great option.
• Select family favorite meals that are less expensive and put them into your meal rotation regularly. Whole-grain, hearty pancakes are a fun, easy, and inexpensive meal to pair with eggs and fruit for a well-rounded dinner.
• Add budget-stretching foods to your menus. Brown or white rice can add bulk in soups or chili. Homemade whole grain rolls, breadsticks, or quick breads are inexpensive to make and can help stretch a meal.
• When eating out, share a meal or eat out for dessert only. Or try setting a goal to reduce the number of times you dine out in a given amount of time.
• Take advantage of free school meals provided as a pandemic resource for your school-aged children. If you and your family qualify, take advantage of WIC or SNAP to stretch your food dollars even further.

It can be discouraging to see food costs rising, but remember – you have control over your spending. With discipline and effort, you can still be a savvy shopper.

By: Melanie Jewkes, Utah State University Extension assistant professor, Melanie.Jewkes@usu.edu

This week is both Utah Saves Week and America Saves Week. Since 2007, both have been held the last week of February to help people focus on saving money. For some, it can be daunting to get started, but the americasaves.org website can help you set goals and sign up for email and text reminders to keep you on track. Consider these tips:

1) Save automatically – This is the secret sauce to financial success. Automatically having your money direct deposited from your paycheck into a savings account increases your chances of saving by 100%. And if the money is out of sight and out of mind, you are less likely to withdraw it for random purchases. The book, The Automatic Millionaire by David Bach, is helpful for anyone who wants to become a regular saver. If you don’t have automatic savings set up, it is a great first step.

2) Save for the unexpected opportunity – We talk a lot about saving for an emergency, but what about saving for an unexpected opportunity as well?  When you have money set aside for the unexpected, whether it be an emergency or an opportunity, you’ll have a stash of cash ready to go. Take the automatic savings you just set up and put some away for the unexpected.

3) Save to retire – We spend most of our lives working in order to pay for our house, food, cars, entertainment, etc., but putting yourself first and saving money for your future is also a wise move. One way to do this is to set up your retirement contribution so it is a certain percentage of your income. That way, as your income increases, so does the amount you contribute to retirement, all without you even noticing. 

4) Save by reducing debt – If automatic savings is the secret sauce for financial success, reducing your debt is definitely the cherry on top. Paying down debt frees up money that was going toward interest. Check out www.powerpay.org for a free tool that helps you create a self-directed debt elimination plan using “power” or “snowball” payments. You’ll be amazed at how quickly you can pay down debt and free up money for savings.
​
5) Save as a family – Make saving a family affair. Talking to your kids about money and empowering them to make good financial decisions is not something you will ever regret. No parent has ever said, “I taught my child to save too much money!” Setting a goal as a family to save for something fun you all want to do together can create a lasting impact on your children. Even if you don’t have children and it is just you and a significant other, setting goals together can help you achieve financial success, have fun together, and give you built-in accountability to reach your goals. 

6) Save for college – Make education savings simple by investing in a college savings plan like my529, Utah’s official 529 educational savings plan. Funds can help pay for qualified education expenses like tuition, books, computers, and other supplies for traditional and technical colleges. Savings can also be used for K-12 tuition expenses, apprenticeships, and student loan repayments up to certain amounts. Your employer may be able to help you set up an automatic, after-tax contribution directly from your paycheck into your account. ​Click here to learn how to get a $10 match from my529 during 2022 Utah Saves Week!

By: Amanda H. Christensen, Utah State University Extension associate professor, Amanda.Christensen@usu.edu

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, combined with a review of research and consultation with leading experts, found that financial well-being includes the following four elements:

1. Having control over day-to-day, month-to-month finances.
2. Having the capacity to absorb a financial shock.
3. Being on track to meet your financial goals.
4. Having the financial freedom to make the choices that allow you to enjoy life.

Another way to think about it is that financial well-being is the feeling of having financial security and financial freedom of choice, both in the present and when considering the future.

So – what does financial health look like at each age? Timing will vary from person to person, but below are suggested financial milestones to achieve at each decade of life. This is not an all-inclusive list, but provides a foundation of things to consider. Milestones achieved at earlier ages, such as a good credit score and an adequate emergency fund, should continue into the following years.

• Age 10: Learn to add and subtract, sell a service or good for money (i.e. lemonade, car washing, cookies, babysitting, cleaning, etc.). Save up for something you really want, use money to buy a gift for someone or donate to a charity.
• Age 10-20: Work at a job for money, have checking/savings accounts, establish a Roth IRA, decide the type of lifestyle you’d like to live, what salary you’ll need for that lifestyle, and what career/job you’ll need to support that. Build credit with a credit card that has a low borrowing limit and use it regularly, but pay it off monthly.
• Age 20: Learn to invest, budget, track income and expenses, regularly contribute to a Roth IRA and build credit. Make on-time debt payments, stay below 30% of your allotted credit amount on credit cards, save for emergencies, have $1,000 in an emergency fund, save for 3 months’ worth of expenses in a separate savings account and obtain adequate insurance.
• Age 30: Achieve financial independence from parents, including independent living arrangements and no “subsidies” to pay expenses such as insurance premiums and cell phone bills. Have student loan debt completely repaid or close to repayment, have a year’s worth of salary (1x) saved for retirement, and establish a good credit history with a credit score in the mid-700s or higher. Become a regular at saving/investing, have at least 3 months’ worth of income set aside for emergencies, have educational credentials such as certifications and graduate/professional degrees earned or near completion, and have current estate planning documents and life insurance to protect dependents or co-signers, if applicable.
• Age 40: Have three times annual salary (3x) saved for retirement, saving at least 15% of gross income, establish a college savings for children, if applicable, and increase investing expertise and diversification of investment portfolio assets. Increase human capital, including job skills and knowledge to remain employable and earn promotions/raises.
• Age 50: Have six times annual salary (6x) saved for retirement; make catch-up retirement savings plan contributions, increase knowledge about the specifics of Social Security, Medicare and employer retirement benefits, increase knowledge of aging parents’ finances and communication about caregiving-related issues. Use financial advisers, as needed, as net worth increases and finances become more complex.
• Age 60: Have eight times annual salary (8x) saved for retirement, have mortgage paid off, home equity loan, and credit card debt paid off prior to retirement. Use catch-up retirement strategies, if needed, such as downsizing, moving, working longer and selling assets, learning new skills and/or making other preparations to transition to a “second act” job or volunteer role.

Questions to ask yourself: Am I on track with the suggested financial milestones at each decade? What would it take to get on track with my current decade? For more information about financial milestones by decades, visit https://www.reuters.com/article/us-column-stern-advice-idUSBRE97R0VV20130828. For more real-life money smarts, visit www.utahmoneymoms.com. Join the conversation on Facebook and Instagram @utahmoneymoms.

By: Amanda Christensen, USU Extension associate professor, Amanda.christensen@usu.edu

Those who have borrowed federal student loans have received another extension on the repayment from the U.S. Department of Education. The payment pause has been extended through May 1, 2022, and takes effect for all qualifying borrowers, with no opt-in needed. In fact, if you are contacted by someone who tells you he or she can help you sign up for this benefit, it is a scam.

Understanding key details of this relief program is important for all borrowers. Here’s a summary of the latest program relief details some people may be missing:

• The temporary payment relief is extended to borrowers with qualifying federal student loans. Some federal loans (Family Federal Education Loan, Perkins Loans, etc.) don’t qualify. Contact your federal loan servicer (www.studentaid.gov) to find out if your loans are eligible.
• If your loans qualify, the U.S. Department of Education has automatically switched the status of your loans to “administrative forbearance,” and no payments are required until May 1, 2022. If you previously set up automatic payments, check to see if any payments have been processed since March 13, 2020. If so, it is possible to get a refund.
• If you have defaulted on any federal student loans, the U.S. Department of Education has paused collection calls and billing statements through May 1, 2022. If your employer continues to garnish your wages, you will get a refund.
• You do have the option to keep making payments. In fact, any payments made during this 0% interest forbearance period will help you pay off your debt faster.

Remember, this relief program only applies to federal student loans. If you are still unsure about the type of loans you have, here are two things you can do:

1. Pull your credit report free of charge at www.annualcreditreport.com. Look it over and find your student loan lender or servicer. Compare it to the complete list of federal loan servicers found at https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/repayment/servicers.
2. Confirm which of your loans are federal by checking https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/sign-in/landing or calling the Federal Student Aid Information Center (FSAIC) at 1-800-433-3243.

For further financial tips and information to help improve your financial wellness, visit Utah Money Moms and Empowering Financial Wellness.

By: Amanda Christensen, USU Extension associate professor, Accredited Financial Counselor, Amanda.Christensen@usu.edu, 801-829-3472

Tis the season for increased awareness of and opportunity for charitable giving. Unfortunately, scammers take advantage of the holiday season to tug at our heartstrings and try to get to our wallets. I stopped by Studio 5 to chat with Brooke about how a little research will help you avoid a scam and ensure that your gift goes to a reputable charity that will use the money as you intend.

Head over to famfinpro.com to read Amanda Christensen’s list of things to consider before giving this holiday season.

Worried about protecting your identity and keeping your personal information secure? Try these four tips from Amanda Christensen.

Sadly, it’s not a matter of “if” anymore, it’s more likely a matter of “when” your personal information is compromised, and in light of the recent Equifax breach there’s been much buzz about what to do to protect personal information that may have been stolen. Whether your info was taken or not, this won’t be the last time hackers access personal information from a “secure” site. Here are four tips to protect personal information and try to prevent the headache and heartache that identity theft brings.

Tip 1: Place a Fraud Alert on Your Credit File.

Putting a fraud alert on your credit file means businesses must try to verify your identity before extending any new credit. For example, they may call you to verify that you’re the one soliciting credit from a particular business. This can make it harder for an identity thief to open an account in your name. There are a few different types:

• An “initial fraud alert” lasts 90 days and must be renewed or it will expire.
• An “extended fraud alert” lasts 7 years and is recommended for those who are victims of fraud/ID theft.
• An “active duty military alert” lasts 1 year and is intended for those in the military who want to minimize their risks while they are deployed.

It’s free, and all you have to do is contact one of the three major credit reporting bureaus by phone or online. That bureau is required to notify the other two credit reporting bureaus for you! The best part—you don’t have to be a victim of ID theft to use a fraud alert.

Tip 2: Place a Credit Freeze on Your Credit File.

Unlike a fraud alert, a credit freeze prevents anyone—including you—from accessing your credit report information to open new accounts. Once a credit freeze is set up, you’ll get a PIN number to use each time you want to freeze and unfreeze your account to apply for new credit. A credit freeze does not affect your credit score. You’ll still need to monitor all bank, credit card and insurance statements for fraudulent transactions. A credit freeze lasts until you temporarily or permanently remove it.  Costs range from $5-10 each time you freeze/unfreeze your credit. Finally, you must contact each of the three credit reporting bureaus individually to set up a credit freeze.

Consider this: Credit freezes can be a strong tool to protect your credit but they many not be right for everyone. Consider the cost and hassle and whether or not you plan to apply for a car loan, mortgage, student loan, etc., in the near future. If you won’t need new credit anytime soon or if you’ve already been a victim of fraud or ID theft, then a credit freeze may be a great safeguard.

Tip 3: Set up Your Online Social Security Account.

Everyone is talking about protecting credit information, but we can’t forget fraud committed with Social Security Numbers such as health insurance fraud and tax ID theft. One way to protect your social security number and account is to log on to ssa.gov and create a “my Social Security” account. This account documents your Social Security earnings and taxes, allows you to request a replacement card, set up direct deposit, get a replacement Medicare card (if applicable), etc. Open your personal “my Social Security” account to take away the risk of someone else trying to create one in your name. When you set the account up, you’ll be asked to verify your identity by answering multiple questions about your personal info (addresses, accounts, loans, etc.). Each time you log in, you’ll be asked for a user name, password and then you’ll be sent a verification code to your phone or email.

Consider this: You may choose the “upgrade my security” option and put even more checks in place each time you log in. If you already have an account but haven’t signed in lately, take a moment to log in and increase the security protocols by adding a second identification method, such as address, email or cell phone.

If you know your Social Security information has been compromised, you can block electronic and telephone access to your records. This means no one—INCLUDING YOU—will be able to see or change your personal info. If you decide to unblock, you will need to contact the SSA and prove your identity.

Tip 4: Be Vigilant.

Protecting personal identifiable information is not a one-and-done type situation. After you’ve taken steps like those mentioned above, you must continue to be vigilant:

• Check credit reports regularly for suspicious activity.
• File your tax return as early as possible. Don’t give an identity thief all that time to file in your name and claim your return.
• Read EOB’s from health insurance to make sure all treatments are yours.

Remember: It’s probably not “if” it’s “when,” so be ahead of the game when protecting your personal information.

Find further information at the Consumer Protection Bureau website: consumer.ftc.gov

This article was written by Amanda Christensen, Extension Assistant Professor for Utah State University. Follow her on Twitter: @FamFinPro, Facebook: Fam Fin Pro, Instagram: @FamFinPro.

Looking for some professional help with your finances? Try these tips to help you choose a financial advisor.

There are many financial professionals willing to answer money-related questions: Where should I invest? What should my portfolio look like? How much do I actually need to save for retirement? These are all great questions, but not every financial advisor will provide the same advice. So, who should you trust to give you answers to these crucial questions?

First, determine what you need. Are you trying to prepare for retirement, get out of debt, accumulate wealth or just get some tax breaks? Further, are you looking for one-time advice or do you want ongoing assistance?

The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) website includes “Seven Steps to Take When Choosing a Financial Advisor.” Below is a summary. Additional information is available at aarp.org/money/.

1. Do a credential check. Make sure a prospective financial advisor has current credentials and hasn’t been disciplined by a regulatory authority. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission lists the major regulators online at smartcheck.cftc.gov. However, brokers can get negative marks removed from their records, so just checking the site may not be enough. To learn about advisors who sell insurance products such as annuities, contact your state’s division of insurance.
2. Ask about fees. Is the advisor being compensated on an hourly basis, by commission or as a percentage of assets under management? If it’s a percentage, fees should be under 1 percent annually. (That’s on top of fees the mutual funds charge.)
3. Beware of performance promises. Many advisors use the success of their past returns as a selling point, but past performance is no guarantee of future gains. Make certain they discuss current practices and steps they take to avoid financial ruin for clients.
4. Ask for recommendations.If the advisor refuses or can’t provide them, consider walking away. Local advisors typically have local customers. Also, talk to people you respect and ask who they use.
5. Get it in writing.Ask your advisor to put in writing why an investment is best for you. Many advisors also provide an investment policy statement, which outlines how he or she will meet your investing objectives.
6. Know what you’re buying.Don’t be afraid to ask questions. If your advisor can’t explain an investment to you in terms you understand, don’t buy it.
7. Remember – there’s no free lunch.If an advisor promises returns that are much better than the market average, walk away. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

In addition to these tips, University of Illinois Extension provides a list of questions to ask a financial advisor, and suggests you interview at least two people. Visit web.extension.illinois.edu/financialpro/interview.cfm for information.

This article was written by Kathleen Riggs, Utah State University Extension family and consumer sciences professor, 435-586-8132, kathleen.riggs@usu.edu

It’s never too early to start thinking about how you’ll pay for your child’s education. 

According to a study conducted by Nerdwallet, an astonishing $29 billion in free college money was left unclaimed for the 2016-2017 school year. Among those statistics, Utah ranks highest in students who were eligible to receive free money, but missed out on the opportunity simply by neglecting to complete their FAFSA forms. If you or someone you know is preparing to attend college, make sure they know the numerous ways they can receive FREE money to help pay for their educational costs.

FAFSA: First and foremost, it is important to know about the website www.fafsa.gov. It is worth your while to check out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and all the financial resources they offer to help students pay for college. You can begin applying for FAFSA as early as October 1st for the upcoming year using your tax information from the previous year. Make sure you fill it out as early as possible as supply is limited, and be sure you update and reapply for FAFSA each year you are attending school. Send your FAFSA to all the schools you are interested in attending so they can send you their financial aid offers. Students must also include parent’s information on their FAFSA until they are 24 years of age; exceptions can be found at https://fafsa.ed.gov/fotw1718/help/fftoc02k.htm.

Employee Tuition Reimbursement: If you or your children are preparing to attend college, ask your employer if they offer any education benefits to students through tuition reimbursement or scholarships.

529 Savings Plan: These are tax advantaged savings plans that allow funds to grow tax free if used for educational purposes. There are 14 different investment choices that range from age-based options to static options, or customized options. These accounts can be opened by anyone for as little as $1 and anyone can contribute to the account at any point before the student withdraws the funds. For more information about this program, visit www.uesp.org.

Individual Development Account: This 3-1 matched savings program allows an individual to save up to $1,500 and receive $4,500 over the course of a 1-to 3-year period. Funds also grow tax free as long as they are withdrawn for use of assistive technology or educational purposes. There are income limitations and eligibility requirements. For more information, visit www.uidan.org.

Grants: Usually offered through FAFSA, grants are often based on an individual’s financial need. Grants are free money you don’t have to pay back, and the most an individual can receive in Federal Pell Grants for the upcoming year is $5,920. Be sure you apply early and often, as supplies for grant money is often limited and is distributed on a first come, first served basis.

Scholarships: Probably the most well-known form of free money, scholarship eligibility can be based on such things as interests, talents, program of study, grades and community involvement. They are usually offered through schools and universities, departments and cultural and religious organizations. Scholarships are also free money that you don’t have to pay back, and you will never have to pay to apply for one. A few helpful and fun scholarship databases include: www.fastweb.com, www.unigo.com, www.chegg.com, www.cappex.com and  https://stepuputah.com.

Work Study: This payment option is received by employment through the student’s college or university. Work study provides students with flexible jobs that allow them to complete school work during their work hours, or provide more hands-on training related to the student’s field of study. Paychecks can be used to pay tuition, fees, student loans, etc. Income received through work study must be claimed on the follow year’s taxes, but does not count against the student on FAFSA the following year. To apply for work study, mark “yes” on question 31 of FAFSA.

Federal Loans: Only borrow what you need for tuition if you choose to take out student loans to fund your education. Federal loans are offered through the government and there are four main types:

•      Subsidized loans – These do not begin building interest until the student has graduated from the college or university. They are typically offered to undergraduate students, and repayment plans can be deferred 6 months after graduation.
•      Unsubsidized loans – These allow interest to begin accruing from the moment the loan is signed. This means students will essentially be paying interest on interest once they graduate from school. These loans are typically only offered to graduate and professional students.
•      Direct Plus loans – These are loans taken out for a student by a parent.
•      Direct Perkins loans – These loans are offered through specific colleges and universities. They are usually based on financial need, and supply is often limited.

Private Loans: Again, only borrow what you need for tuition if you choose to take out student loans to fund your education. Private loans are offered through banks and other financial institutions. They are typically less flexible with repayment options, but offer all the same options as federal loans and do not require the completion of FAFSA.

This article was written by Kirstin Kvam USU Extension Finance Program Coordinator, Salt Lake County

Resources:

https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/loans/student-loans/fafsa-college-money-left-on-table/

https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/loans/student-loans-federal-vs-private-loans/

www.fafsa.gov

Have you filed your taxes yet this year? There’s a reason so many people opt to hire someone else to do their taxes for them— it can be a daunting task! Doing them yourself is a good way to save a little money. Today we’re featuring some free programs to help you get them done.

Spring is here, and you know what that means: tax season. If you haven’t filed yet, there are some great programs through Utah Tax Help that can guide you through the process of filing online or even file your taxes for you, depending on your household income.

Earn it. Keep it. Save it. is a coalition of Utah statewide partners from the public, private, and non-profit sectors and provides free tax preparation and filing assistance for people who make $64,000 or less and want to prepare their own federal and state tax return, FOR FREE, with limited assistance. To get started taxpayers need basic computer skills, internet access, an email address, a valid Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), and tax documentation.  CAP Utah leads this coalition.  T

To file your federal and state tax return for FREE visit,www.UtahTaxHelp.org (tax filing software is provided by unitedway.org/myfreetaxes).

If your household income is less than $54,000, you can qualify to have your taxes prepared for free at a VITA site located in many of your local communities.  Call 211 or 1-888-826-9790 and they can set up appointments in your area.  This Volunteer Income Tax Assistance service is provided by Earn it. Keep it. Save it Coalition.

1: Visit a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Site

You can file your taxes utilizing the skills and expertise of one of our IRS certified volunteers by visiting a designated Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site. There you will be matched with a volunteer trained to assist you. If your household income is $54,000 or less you qualify to have your taxes prepared for free at a VITA site.

Call 2-1-1 or 1-888-826-9790 to schedule an appointment.

Find a VITA Site.

2: File Online Now for FREE

You can also file your taxes for free from the comfort of your own home. All you need is a computer, internet access, an email account, and all of your tax documentation. The process takes about 60 minutes. If your household income is $64,000 or less, you qualify to file online for free. 

File online for free now.

If you are going to file online for free make sure to download and print these instructions to help you through the process.

Download the instructions.

If you have questions or are experiencing difficulties (including if you are accidentally charged by the online software), please contact the national helpline:

• 1-855-My-Tx-Help or 1-855-698-9435
• Hours of Operation: Monday – Saturday, 7:00AM – 8:00PM MST
• Email support: info@myfreetaxes.com

Visit utahtaxhelp.org for more information on these great programs.