How to Increase your Tax Return

Are you still putting off filing your tax return? Don't stress about it. We're going to show you how to make sure you get the biggest tax return you can. You can also get your taxes filed for free this Saturday.

Here's one of the biggest ways to cut your tax bill: if you own a home, Enrolled Agent Noreen Smith, says homeowners can add their property taxes to their standard deduction. Explained Smith, "You can take and add real estate taxes up to $500 for single individuals and $1000 if married, filing jointly."

And if you sold stock this year, make sure you report the price when you bought it. Said Smith, "Because if you don't have the cost for the stock, then the IRS is going to assume that the basis is zero and you're going to have to pay taxes on all of it."

More families will qualify for Earned Income Credit, that's a credit up to $4800 dollars. And Smith says many working parents forget to claim child care costs. She says parents who are full-time students qualify.

And if you didn't qualify for a stimulus check last year, you may get credit now. Said Smith, "Some people, if their income was too high last year and they lost their job, they may be able to get that stimulus payment this year."

This Saturday, IRS offices are holding Super Saturday. They will file your taxes for your for free, as long as you make less than $42,000. And if you cannot afford to pay your taxes, they can arrange a payment plan. But Smith says file, even if you can't write the check. Said Smith, "The penalties and interest are so much greater. There's a 5% per month for the first 5 months for failure to file."

And her advice for people receiving unemployment checks: "Have withholdings. Because a lot of people will collect unemployment and they don't have anything withheld and then when it comes time to report it and pay the tax on it, they don't have it."

Steps that will help you get more money, or at least more time, this tax season.

The IRS is holding Super Saturday free tax help this Saturday, March 21 at its offices in Greenville, Hendersonville, and Asheville. Make sure you bring your photo ID, social security card, income statements, bank account information, and social security numbers for any dependents you have.

You can also use the IRS's "Free File" to file your return for free if your adjusted gross income is less than $56,000.