Last Chance: Get Free Tax Help from State Comptroller

The tax deadline is coming up, so the office of Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot will have its 12 local branch offices open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday to provide free income tax return assistance and preparation.

"Although the deadline is only one week away, taxpayers shouldn't panic," Franchot said in a news release. "The Comptroller's Office can help make tax filing quick, easy and painless."

You can actually get help right in Towson, at Hampton Plaza,
300 E. Joppa Road, Plaza Level 1A.

There are also offices in Baltimore, Annapolis, Cumberland, Elkton, Frederick, Hagerstown, New Carrollton/Landover, Salisbury, Upper Marlboro, Waldorf and Wheaton.

Visit the comptroller's website for other branch addresses and phone numbers.

When you visit, bring in your W2s, 1099s and completed federal return, and staff will prepare it for free, Comptroller Franchot said in the release.

There's help on other days as well, the release states:

• Free tax assistance is available at all of the agency's offices, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Telephone assistance is available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. at 1-800-638-2937 or 410-260-7980.
• More hours are available on April 17, the tax-filing deadline, at all agency locations.

On April 17, comptroller's office employees will be available for last-minute tax return assistance and preparation.