The DABC never charges a fee to prepare or electronically file a federal or State of Colorado income tax return. To keep our services free, we rely on volunteer support, donations, grants and your contributions. Please make a tax-deductible contribution to the DABC so we may continue to provide our quality programs and services to the community.

• No quick or rapid "refunds"
• How we file and maintain a record of your tax return
• Making a payment if you owe on your tax return
• If your return was rejected by the IRS
• Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
• Trusted and dedicated volunteers

No quick or rapid "refunds"
The DABC discourages the practice of quick refunds by paid preparers. You are actually not getting your refund quickly, but instead receiving a high interest loan from a bank. Many customers lose between $200 and $500 dollars to get their "refund" within 48 hours. This is in addition to the average fee of $300 you pay to have your tax return prepared.

The DABC, like most paid preparers, electronically files your tax return when possible -- for free. The standard turnaround time for a refund is 7-10 days if you have a bank account and direct deposit your refund (14-21 days if you have a paper check mailed). We encourage you to wait the standard turnaround time to receive your refund, and keep what could mean hundreds of dollars in your pocket instead of giving it to a bank.

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How we file and maintain a record of your tax return
The DABC will send your return electronically within 24 hours after it is prepared. If you file a paper tax return, we will provide you with a spare copy to sign and mail to both the IRS and State of Colorado. We cannot pay for postage or mail a paper tax return for you.

Information about your return will be available 5-7 business days after acceptance. You may check on the status of your federal return by calling the IRS at 800-829-1040. To check on the status of your State of Colorado return, please call 303-238-7378. State of Colorado refunds are generally received within one week after the federal refund date.

The DABC only maintains copies of your tax documents until the tax return is filed, or until December 31, then we shred everything. If you need a transcript of your federal return, please send the IRS a request with form 4506t. If you need a copy of your State of Colorado return, please call 303-238-7378. The IRS and the State of Colorado can also help you with any questions or problems you may have with your tax return prepared by the DABC if the tax site is closed.

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Making a payment if you owe on your tax return
Please pay in full what you owe on or before April 15th to avoid penalties and interest. Indicate on the face of your payment your social security number and the tax year.

You may also pay federal taxes owed by credit card, debit card, or electronic funds transfer. Visit the IRS.gov Payments page for more information.

If you cannot afford to pay what you owe, please file your tax return on or before April 15th anyway. Upon filing, please contact the IRS immediately at 800-829-1040. You will need a copy of your return when you call. Tell the phone assistor that you have filed but cannot afford to pay. The IRS will work with you to negotiate a monthly payment, or help defer your taxes owed until you can afford to make payments.

The DABC has created a Balance Due Information Packet that will assist you with different payment options when you owe taxes to the IRS or State of Colorado.

The State of Colorado can also assist you with payment options. After working with the IRS, please contact the Colorado Department of Revenue at 303-238-7378 if you have a tax liability that you cannot afford to pay.

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If your return was rejected by the IRS
The DABC tax sites take careful steps to ensure your return is accepted. Historically, the DABC return rejection rate is less than 7% (compared to 16% for all returns). You will receive a letter from a DABC site if your return was rejected. Please bring the letter along with any documents requested to the DABC site that prepared your return as soon as possible. Your spouse may need to accompany you if you filed a joint return.

Incorrect Social Security Numbers and names not matching official records If your letter indicates this issue, please bring copies of a Social Security card for the individual(s) listed in your letter with you when you return to the site. If you do not have the actual Social Security card(s), please contact the Social Security Administration at 800-772-1213 to request replacement cards or other documentation verifying the individual(s) name and number.

Your return has not been filed until it is accepted by the IRS and State of Colorado. If you do not understand why your return rejected, call the IRS at 800-829-1040 for an explanation.

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Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
If you are unable to get a valid Social Security Number from the Social Security Administration, you must get an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) from the IRS to file your tax return. DABC sites can assist you with this process. You must first complete a current year federal tax return. Then, you will have to complete form W-7, Application for Individual Taxpayer Identification Number. You can take the completed return and W-7, along with certain identification documents, to an IRS walk-in office.

You may also mail your tax return with the W-7 and identification documents to the IRS at:
Internal Revenue Service
ITIN Operations
PO Box 149342
Austin, TX 78714-9342

The IRS will process your application, verify your documents and forward your return for processing. Your ITIN(s) will be mailed to you in a letter from the IRS in approximately six weeks if there are no issues with your documents, which will also be returned. You will use this ITIN to file a federal return until you can get a valid Social Security Number.

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Trusted and dedicated volunteers
All DABC volunteers must be certified through a mandatoriy exam provided by the IRS after completing a basic tax law and e-file class or self-study program. A volunteer may not prepare a tax return without certification. In our most recent IRS check-up, 98% of our tax returns were deemed mathematically correct. This is over 4% higher than the average paid preparer.

The integrity of our volunteers and your information is critically important. All DABC volunteers must sign disclosure and privacy agreements indicating they will not disclose any of your financial or personal information to the public. A volunteer will be immediately removed if your information was shared inappropriately, and you will be contacted.

Show your appreciation for our volunteers Many DABC volunteers work 4-20 hours every week to prepare free tax returns. Feel free to send send us an email to thank them for their hard work and dedication, and we will pass along your comments. You may also make a tax deductible donation to honor the volunteers of the DABC. Donations received will be used to honor our volunteers at a volunteer recognition ceremony, purchase supplies, and market our programs.

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