Yes! Thanks to the generous support of our donors, MAA is excited to offer free tax preparation services for the first 550 MAA families who sign up. There are a few simple qualifications you will need to meet in order to be eligible and a few cases where we can’t help with your taxes. However, most families who use MAA should be able to utilize this service.

There are a few qualifications you will need to meet in order to be eligible to have your taxes done for free. These requirements are similar to those you needed to meet to participate in MAA, so most families should be able to participate.

In order to qualify to have your taxes done for free, you must:

• Have utilized services through MAA for at least one of your dependent children in 2023, AND:

• Still Be eligible to claim the MN K-12 Education Tax Credit

• Your household income was under $70,000.00 for both 2023 and 2022. If your income was higher than $70,000.00, you may be eligible to receive a reduced credit amount

• Your student attended private, public, or homeschool in grades K-12 in 2023.

• Your student resided with whomever is claiming them as a dependent for more than half the year.

• Your tax filing status is NOT “married filing separately”

Due to additional constraints, you must also meet the following requirements:

• You do NOT have income from a business, driving a cab, or rental income to report in 2023

• You did NOT claim bankruptcy in 2023

If you aren’t eligible or choose not to use this service, there are over 200 free tax preparation sites across Minnesota listed on the Minnesota Department of Revenue’s website.

Find the one closest to you at https://www.revenue.state.mn.us/index.php/free-tax-preparation-sites

Services covered through Amana including preparation and electronic filing of individual state (MN) and federal income tax returns. This includes the following forms:

• 1040 (federal income tax)

• M1 (MN income tax)

• M1ED

• M1REF

• MN Rental Refund (if applicable).

If you have additional forms that need to be filed, such as itemized deductions, Schedule C or E, reporting capital gains or losses, or you need to report income from driving a cab or rental income, we encourage you to reach out to us to be added to our waitlist. We are currently assessing our ability to support these situations.

Once you complete the form to indicate interest, we’ll confirm your eligibility.

If you are eligible, Amana Financial will send you a link to set up your secure portal where you’ll share your tax documents with Amana Financial.

From there, Amana will prepare your return. You’ll have a chance to review the return before signing it and submitting it. The portal will also allow you to track it’s status and access copies of your return for future reference.

Learn more HERE

Minnesotans are lucky to have a robust network of preparers, including several options for free tax prep throughout the state.

However, as we continue to recover from the pandemic, appointments for tax preparation services can be challenging to find. It can be even more difficult to find preparers in certain areas of our state, services that are available in multiple languages, and during times that are convenient.

MAA recognizes this challenge, and hopes to add capacity to the already stretched network of tax preparation available.

Through this partnership with Amana Financial, MAA families will be able to work with a preparer familiar with working with low-income families and the MN K-12 Education Tax Credit.

Additionally, Amana Financial is excited to work with families to help them maximize their refund by determining their eligibility for other tax credits they may be eligible for.

Amana is also able to offer assistance to families who speak Somali or Urdu, as well as English. MAA may also be able to assist families who speak other languages by request. Please contact us if you’d like to request assistance in other languages.

Great question. When setting up your portal, you will answer some questions for Amana Financial that will help guide you through exactly which documents you’ll need. To get started organizing common documents you will need to have, use our organizer found HERE

Every return is different so processing times will vary. Most federal refunds are issued within 21 days if you e-filed with direct deposit. Some returns require additional review from the IRS and Minnesota Revenue.

Federal refunds: Check your refund status at 1-800-829-1954, www.irs.gov, or download IRS2GO mobile app.

Minnesota state refunds: Check your refund status at 651-296-4444 or www.revenue.state.mn.us.

Renter/homeowner refunds: You can check your refund status starting in July at 651-296-4444 or www.revenue.state.mn.us

Minnesota Revenue begins processing refunds in July. Generally, renters receive refunds in July or August and homeowners in September or October.

Additional information about tracking your refund is available through your secure portal with Amana Financial.

At this time, we can only help with 2022 returns. We hope to be able to expand services in the future. If you need assistance finding free services for back taxes or prior year returns, other preparers may be able to help.

Find the one closest to you at https://www.revenue.state.mn.us/index.php/free-tax-preparation-sites

If you used Amana Financial services to file your 2022 tax returns and find you need to amend your return for some reason after you file, Amana is happy to help. Please contact Sadiq at Amana Financial directly with your request.

If you need to amend a previous year return related to an MAA loan you still owe money on, we may be able to help. If this applies to you, please reach out to Lisa at maanavigator3@youthprise.org

That’s great! We’d be happy to help.

MAA is excited to offer this virtual option as it provides the most flexibility and ability to get your taxes done in the most timely fashion (getting you your refund faster!) This is also a great option for families who do not live in the Twin Cities or who have a busy schedule.

In order to complete your taxes virtually, a link will be sent to you by Amana Financial Services to upload your documents to a secure portal where only Amana staff can access your information for the purposes of completing your returns.

If you need assistance, please indicate this on your interest form. We'll reach out to you to schedule an appointment to get help with setting up your account and uploading your documents. We’re also in the process of setting up some help sessions, so please check back soon.

You must have all of your tax documents ready at the time of your appointment, or you will need to reschedule. Appointments will be available on a limited basis in various locations across the state, but due to limited capacity it may take additional time to file your taxes.

Even if you don’t indicate on the form that you need assistance, don’t worry! We’re here to help. Please reach out to let us know how we can assist.

In order to provide the most flexible and timely processing of tax returns for MAA families, we encourage you to utilize the virtual option.

If you need assistance, Amana Financial and the MAA team can help with accessing your portal, uploading documents, and answering your questions. We’re also in the process of setting up some help sessions across the state, so check back soon.

A limited number of in-person appointments with Amana Financial will be available to families with unique needs or tax situations. Please work directly with Amana Financial to schedule this appointment. Please note that if you choose to meet in person, you must bring all of your documents or you may be asked to reschedule.