Tap Into These 5 Free Tax Help Resources Before It’s Too Late

If you are having trouble with your taxes, tap one of these five free resources for help.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) offers two programs to help you do your taxes, the Defense Department backs one, the AARP Foundation runs one, and one is a federal grant program that provides help with tax disputes. All have answers to the tax questions you may be struggling with alone.

1. Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)

This IRS program has been helping taxpayers for more than 50 years. To qualify for this free tax help, you’ll need an income of $67,000 or lower. People with disabilities and people who speak limited English also qualify.

VITA sites are run by IRS partners, and the volunteers who fill out tax returns must pass tax law training that meets the IRS’s standards.

“The volunteer preparers I’ve worked with took the service very seriously, many coming back year after year to help elderly and lower-income taxpayers,” says Mark Rosinski, a certified financial planner with Dunes Financial. “Also, every VITA volunteer is required to pass IRS training before every tax season. And lastly, every return is reviewed by another preparer for a second set of eyes before filing,”

The VITA locator tool allows you to find a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance site near you by searching by zip code.

“If it’s difficult for someone to sit and wait for their return to be completed, many VITA programs now offer a drop-off program. This allows a taxpayer to drop off their documents and come back when completed, saving them time and money.” Rosinski says.

2. Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE)

This IRS program provides free tax help for people 60 and up. Questions about pensions and other retirement-related questions are all answered in this free program. The VITA locator tool can be used to find Tax Counseling for the Elderly sites. Like VITA, this program is managed by the IRS, and the program sites are run by IRS partners and volunteers who must pass tax law training that is up to the standards set by the IRS.

3. MilTax Free Tax Services

MilTax provides free tax software and free tax assistance for military members. Military tax experts offer one-on-one help, and the free tax software is designed for the specific tax issues of military life. MilTax helps military members file a federal tax return and up to three state returns. The service is available to military members and their families. For in-person assistance, check the VITA locator for programs on military installations.

4. AARP Foundation Tax Aide

While AARP Foundation Tax Aide offers help to everyone who reaches out, the focus of the program is helping people 50 and up with moderate to low income. Started in 1968, AARP Tax Aide is available in more than 3,600 locations across the United States. Volunteers are certified by the IRS. To find a location near you, use this locator tool.

5. Low Income Taxpayer Clinics (LITC)

These clinics offer tax help for people with low incomes who have tax disputes with the IRS. Tax services are free or for a small fee. The disputed tax amount is typically below $50,000. A clinic locator is found on the program’s website. Low Income Taxpayer Clinics also provide outreach to people who speak English as a second language.

The Bottom Line

With April 15 around the corner, it is not too late to reach out for some free tax help in filing your return. Which free service is right for you? Volunteer Income Tax Assistance is for people with disabilities, limited English, and those who make up to $67,000 a year. Tax Counseling for the Elderly offers tax assistance for people 60 and up.

AARP Foundation Tax Aide is free and open to everyone, but it aims to help taxpayers 50 and older with low and moderate incomes. MilTax offers free tax help, including free tax software, to military members and their families. If you have a dispute with the IRS, contact Low-Income Taxpayer Clinics. You’ll get tax assistance for free or a modest fee.