Realities Focus INC dba Makechange NoCo, Fort Collins VITA

Colorado is taking longer than usual to process returns.

It is taking up to 30 days from submission to receipt acknowledgement of returns this year.  Once the return has been acknowledged, processing time is an additional 7 – 10 days.  You can check the status of your return by clicking on THIS LINK.  You will need your social security number and the amount you expect refunded to complete this process.

We are trying to connect with all outstanding Neighbor to Neighbor clients.

If you dropped off documents at Neighbor to Neighbor earlier this tax season, your return is complete and ready for you to review it.  We cannot e-file your return until you review it.  Please walk-into the Old Town Library tax site on Monday or Thursday afternoons from 1PM – 4PM.  We will review your tax return with you and provide you with a copy of it.  Depending on how busy the site it, this process takes as little as 15 minutes.  If you are unable to walk into the Old Town Library site before April 15th, please contact us (970)599-1765 so we can plan on an alternative pick up plan.

2024 Tax Season Updates

All appointments are booked through April 15th.  You may check on Signup Genius by clicking the links below to see if a cancellation becomes available.  We do not maintain a wait list for cancellations.

I order to qualify for Colorado TABOR refunds, you must file a return in a timely basis:

  • Individuals over the age of 18 on 1/1/2023 must file a return by April 15th, 2024 if they had no Colorado withholding or Colorado Income tax liability.
  • Individuals of any age with Colorado withholding or liability have until October 15th, 2024 to file their income taxes.  In this case, you should fill out CO 158i (extension) and make any necessary payment to avoid penalties.  As the tax deadline approaches, we can assist you with extensions at the Old Town Library walk-in site.
  • In both cases, you must have been a Colorado resident for the entire year and have not been incarcerated for more than 120 days.

We assist with tax returns, by appointment only beginning in June.  We do not begin scheduling June appointments until mid may.

Alternately, you may choose to walk-in to the Old Town Library or CSU sites.  See more information below.

Please CLICK HERE to review our scope to ensure we can assist you with your return.  If you are new to VITA or need a refresher, please CLICK HERE to review a checklist of common forms to bring with you.  Don’t forget your ID, SS Card, and Mask (PPE) if desired or required.

Monday, Wednesday, & Friday ALL APPOINTMENTS ARE SCHEDULED THROUGH APRIL 15, taxes will be prepared at the Fort Collins Senior Center (1200 Raintree) BY APPOINTMENT ONLY 8AM – 12 Noon.  A Signup Genius matrix will be available to schedule an appointment on 1/17/24 or you may call (970)599-1765 to schedule an appointment.  If you call, you must leave a message and your call will be returned.  Due to extremely high call volume, return calls are taking longer.  If you do not answer the call, we cannot schedule your appointment.  We only release a short window of appointments.  More appointments will be added on a weekly basis until the schedule is full.  CLICK HERE to schedule an appointment at the Senior Center online.  You will be redirected to Signup Genius.

Monday & Thursday at the Old Town Library (201 Peterson) from 1PM until 4PM.  This site is WALK-IN FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED.  The site will close to new sign-ins once the maximum number of clients have been signed in based on staffing each session.  You will not be able to sign in until you complete the intake paperwork.  La traducción limitada al español está disponible los jueves.

Saturday at CSU Rockwell Hall (523 W Laurel) from 10AM until 2PM.  This site is WALK-IN FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED.  This site is closed 3/9/24 & 3/16/24 for CSU spring break.

No new clients are signed in for assistance after 1PM.  We will do our best to assist clients until the sign in deadline, but may close to new sign ins earlier if needed.

If you are an international student, please review the Saturday Foreign Students and Scholars information below.  This site is unable to assist you with filing a non resident return.

Monday ALL APPOINTMENTS ARE SCHEDULED THROUGH APRIL 15, at the Windsor Severance Library (720 3rd) 3PM – 6PM.  This site prepares BY APPOINTMENT ONLY.  You complete intake paperwork, answer questions, and have your tax documents digitized.  VITA volunteers prepare and double check your return off-site.  In most cases, your return will be ready to pick up the following Monday.  A Signup Genius matrix will be available to schedule an appointment on 1/17/24 or you may call (970)599-1765 to schedule an appointment.  Due to extremely high call volume, return calls are taking longerCLICK HERE to schedule an appointment online at the Windsor Severance Library.  You will be redirected to Signup Genius.

Saturday Foreign Students and Scholars tax assistance.  Please CLICK HERE or go to the 2023 Foreign Students page from the menu to read the complete instructions.  We are unable to accommodate more appointments through tax day.

By appointment only, tax assistance for homebound and disabled may be available.  Appointments are extremely limited.  To begin the process, contact us at (970)599-1765.  We typically return calls within 2 business days.  No appointments will be scheduled before 1/17/24.

Get a jump on the line by downloading, printing, and completing the intake paperwork before you arrive.  Complete paperwork includes the Consents and Form 13614-C.  These forms are available in English and Spanish.  CLICK HERE for English.  CLICK HERE for Spanish.  Consents in English CLICK HERE Consents in Spanish CLICK HERE.

IRS revises and updates frequently asked questions about Form 1099-K

IR-2024-33, Feb. 6, 2024

WASHINGTON — In an effort to provide more resources for taxpayers during this filing season, the Internal Revenue Service today revised frequently asked questions (FAQs) for Form 1099-K, Payment Card and Third Party Network Transactions, in Fact Sheet 2024-03PDF.  READ MORE

 

IRS Free File now available; free service through IRS.gov available for millions of taxpayers

IR-2024-10, Jan. 12, 2024

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today announced that IRS Free File Guided Tax Software service is ready for taxpayers to use in advance of the opening of tax season later this month.

Marking its 22nd filing season, IRS Free File went live today, more than two weeks before the 2024 filing season start date. The IRS starts accepting and processing individual tax returns on Jan. 29.  read more

IRS updates frequently asked questions for the New, Previously-Owned and Qualified Commercial Clean Vehicle Credit

IR-2023-251, Dec. 26, 2023

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today updated frequently asked questions in Fact Sheet 2023-29PDF to provide guidance related to the critical mineral and battery component requirements for the New, Previously Owned, and Qualified Commercial Clean Vehicle Credits.  read more

2024 tax filing season set for January 29; IRS continues to make improvements to help taxpayers

IR-2024-04, Jan. 8, 2024

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today announced Monday, Jan. 29, 2024, as the official start date of the nation’s 2024 tax season when the agency will begin accepting and processing 2023 tax returns.  read more

IRS provides tax inflation adjustments for tax year 2024

IR-2023-208, Nov. 9, 2023

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today announced the annual inflation adjustments for more than 60 tax provisions for tax year 2024, including the tax rate schedules and other tax changes.  read more

401(k) limit increases to $23,000 for 2024, IRA limit rises to $7,000

You have until 4/15/24 to make a 2023 IRA contribution.  IR-2023-203, Nov. 1, 2023

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service announced today that the amount individuals can contribute to their 401(k) plans in 2024 has increased to $23,000, up from $22,500 for 2023.

The IRS today also issued technical guidance regarding all of the cost‑of‑living adjustments affecting dollar limitations for pension plans and other retirement-related items for tax year 2024.  read more

Colorado specific tax updates may be viewed from this link

Student Loan Forgiveness

The US Supreme Court has ruled against the current student loan forgiveness executive order issued by President Biden.  Currently, Congress and the President are working on various paths towards student loan debts and college affordability.  There may be some options to ease back into the resumption of student loan payments which are scheduled to resume in October.  To read more from a trusted source, please visit the Department of Education Debt Relief Page.

Interest rates increase for the fourth quarter 2023

IR-2023-154, Aug. 25, 2023

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today announced that interest rates will increase for the calendar quarter beginning Oct.1, 2023.

For individuals, the rate for overpayments and underpayments will be 8% per year, compounded daily. Here is a complete list of the new rates:

  • 8% for overpayments (payments made in excess of the amount owed), 7% for corporations.
  • 5.5% for the portion of a corporate overpayment exceeding $10,000.
  • 8% for underpayments (taxes owed but not fully paid).
  • 10% for large corporate underpayments.  read more

Did you receive unemployment compensation in 2020?

Tax court ruled against the State of Colorado regarding the addback of unemployment compensation on 2020 tax returns filed in 2021.  If you have a positive number on Page 2, line 9 on the 2020 Colorado 104, and received unemployment compensation, you may be entitled to a refund.  The amount you are entitled to depends on how much the adjustment changed your Colorado taxable income with the maximum being over $450.  If you need amending your Colorado return, please contact us by phone or email.

IRS Tax Withholding Estimator helps people get ready for the 2024 filing season; make sure withholding is right on 2023 paychecks

IR-2023-87, April 18, 2023

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today suggested taxpayers who filed or are about to file their 2022 tax return use the IRS Tax Withholding Estimator to help update the amount of tax to have taken out of their 2023 pay.

The IRS says now is a good time to use this online tool. The Tax Withholding Estimator, also available in Spanish, can help people adjust how much is withheld and could put more cash in their pocket or help them avoid a tax bill for 2023.

The Tax Withholding Estimator offers workers, retirees and the self-employed a step-by-step guide to effectively tailor the amount of income tax they have withheld from wages, pension and other income. It’s especially useful after a major life change such as marriage, divorce, home purchase, the birth or adoption of a child or a big change in income.  read more

IRS, DOL and HHS issue frequently asked questions about upcoming changes to COVID-19 coverage and payment requirements

IR-2023-86, April 18, 2023

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service, Departments of Labor and Health and Human Services have jointly issued Frequently asked questions about the Affordable Care Act ImplementationFamilies First Coronavirus Response Act, Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act Implementation Part 58 and Affordable Care Act and Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act Implementation Part 59 to clarify how the COVID-19 coverage and payment requirements under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) will change when the Public Health Emergency (PHE) ends.

Based on current COVID-19 trends, the Department of Health and Human Services is planning for the federal PHE for COVID-19 to end on May 11, 2023. Once the PHE ends, the coverage and payment requirements will change.

Under the FFCRA and the CARES Act, plans and issuers are not required to provide coverage for items and services related to diagnostic testing for COVID-19 that are furnished after the end of the PHE. If they provide such coverage, they may impose cost-sharing requirements, prior authorization or other medical management requirements for the items and services.

Previously issued FAQs are available on the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Fact Sheets & Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) webpage.

IRS introduces new service industry tip reporting program

IR-2023-19, Feb. 6, 2023

WASHINGTON — The Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service today issued Notice 2023-13, which contains a proposed revenue procedure that would establish the Service Industry Tip Compliance Agreement (SITCA) program, a voluntary tip reporting program between the IRS and employers in various service industries. The IRS is issuing this guidance in proposed form to provide an opportunity for public comment.  read more