National LGBTQ Task Force launches free tax preparation guide

It’s tax season. Do you know where your receipts and pay stubs and 1099s are? Do you even know what you can and cannot deduct?
Well good news: the National LGBTQ Task Force has launched a handy new income tax preparation guide for the LGBT community. Despite all the help you may receive from a trusted advisor or handy program like Turbo Tax, it wouldn’t hurt to take advantage of this free guide.
The new publication is part of their “Queer Our Taxes” effort, a public education and advocacy campaign focused on securing economic justice for LGBT people.
“LGBTQ people are disproportionally more likely to live at or below the poverty line – they are also often the most in need of income tax information and least able to access it. The straight forward information in this guide will empower LGBTQ people to get credits and deductions that lift millions of people out of poverty,” said Meghan Maury, criminal and economic justice director at the Task Force.
Even as Obergefell streamlined the process for joint filings, adoption forms and other barriers to access (and tax deductions,) Maury said all members of the LGBT community will benefit.
“Most LGBTQ people don’t know that you can deduct out of pocket costs for transition-related care including surgery. Many of us also don’t know that you may be able to claim a large credit for adoption related expenses,” Maury said.
The last day to file taxes is April 18.