Filing your own taxes can feel overwhelming and confusing. You’re not alone—many people need help figuring it all out.

If you have health insurance through the HealthCare.gov/Marketplace (CuidadoDeSalud.gov for Spanish), and get help paying your monthly bill through Advanced Premium Tax Credits, filing your taxes is a must.

To keep receiving financial help with your monthly bill in the future, you have to file your 1095-A form each year to make sure you got the right amount of tax credits. This process is called reconciling your tax credits. If your tax credit amount was too high, you’ll need to pay some of it back. If it was too low, you may receive money back (yay!). If you paid the right amount, you won’t need to pay anything.

How do I reconcile my tax credits?

You will use the information on your 1095-A form to complete form 8962. 1095-A forms are mailed to you in January each year, or you can find yours by logging in to your HealthCare.gov account.

This form is submitted with your tax return and is used to calculate your Premium Tax Credit (PTC) and reconcile it with any advance payments of the Advanced Premium Tax Credit (APTC).

Why should I file my taxes?

Compliance with tax laws is mandatory. If you don’t file and check your tax credits, you might owe money or lose your discounts in the future. And let’s be real—those savings make a big difference.

So, don’t skip tax time. It keeps your health insurance affordable!

When are my taxes due?

The official deadline to file your taxes is April 15, 2025.

If you know you won’t be able to file your taxes on time, you can request a six-month tax extension using Form 4868 by April 15, 2025.

What if I’m self-employed?

It is important to file your taxes when you are self-employed. Your tax return provides proof of your income for Medicaid and other benefits. Self-employment includes driving for Uber, Lyft, Door Dash, etc.

Free tax help is available!

There are many tax preparation assistance programs in Washtenaw County for residents making up to $67,000 per year. Here is a list of some online and in-person resources;

VITA – United Way of Southeastern Michigan

Free tax preparation services for residents of Washtenaw, Wayne, Macomb, and Oakland counties who make $67,000 per year or less.

Call to make an appointment at (734) 677-7235 or visit their website https://www.unitedwaysem.org/resources/tax-preparation-assistance/

MyFreeTaxes.com

Do you have access to a computer? Do you make $67,000 per year or less? Myfreetaxes.com is a free online service for preparing and filing your taxes brought to you by United Way.

MyFreeTaxes.com provides email, live chat, and telephone support in English and Spanish. Learn more at https://www.myfreetaxes.com/.

Accounting Aid Society

Residents of Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Livingston, and Washtenaw Counties who make $67,000 or less can receive free help to prepare and file their taxes, as well as help deal with the IRS on a number of issues.

You can visit their website at https://www.accountingaidsociety.org/ to learn more about their services or call them at (313) 556-1920. For a list of locations click here.

IRS

You can get more information about how to file your taxes at https://www.irs.gov/ and find more free filing services. Call your local IRS office to make an appointment and find a taxpayer assistance center near you for more help.

What information do I need to file my taxes?

When filing your taxes, either through a tax preparation appointment or by yourself online, you will need to provide certain documents, including specific tax forms, proof of certain payments, and forms of identification (ID).

Contact your preparer about any specific requirements for receiving help.
We have included a list of forms below, or you can visit IRS.gov for a full list of documents.

Forms

• W-2 forms for all jobs worked in the previous year
  • You can ask your employer(s) for this form
• 1099 forms for other income (including unemployment, retirement, or contract work)
  • You can find this form on SSA.gov
• 1095-A form if you had health coverage from the Marketplace/HealthCare.gov
  • Forms 1095-B (Medicaid) and 1095-C (Employer) may also be needed to determine eligibility for other programs based on your Medicaid enrollment.
    • You can find this on your Marketplace/HealthCare.gov Account
• Any other tax documents

Identification (IDs)

• Social Security or ITIN numbers for all family members
• Photo ID

Bills and Receipts

• Proof of rent or mortgage, and property tax payments
• A heating bill from November 2024 to February 2025 or access to your energy bill online

Other Information

• A copy of your last year’s return (if available)
• Childcare provider’s name, address, and federal tax ID number
• Mail from Social Security

Need legal help with tax issues?

The University of Michigan Law School’s Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic offers legal representation for the following issues when the amount in dispute is $50,000 or less per tax year:

• IRS Notices, including Notices of Intent to Lien or Levy and Notices of Deficiency
• Petitions to the United States Tax Court
• IRS liens and levies
• Offers in compromise
• Installment agreements
• Innocent spouse relief
• Injured spouse relief
• Collection due process hearings and appeals conferences
• Tax audits
• Earned income tax credit eligibility and denials
• Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) issues

Visit their website here to learn more, or call them at (734) 936-3535.