How to Get Free Help With Your Taxes

Preparing taxes on your own can be complicated, especially with ever-changing tax laws.

Getting help from an expert can make it easier to file your return on time and ensure you’re maximizing your tax benefits.

But you don’t always need to pay for tax help. Several federal programs, local resources and nonprofit organizations provide free tax help from trained staff or volunteers.

Here are 12 resources for free tax help:

1. Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program

The IRS manages the VITA program, which has been around for more than 50 years and is staffed by volunteers who are trained to provide basic tax preparation help.

The program is available to people who earn $64,000 or less, have a disability or have limited English-speaking skills.

VITA sites are located at community centers, libraries, schools, colleges and local nonprofit organizations. To find a program near you, visit the IRS Get Free Tax Prep Help page.

2. Tax Counseling for the Elderly Program

The TCE, which is also managed by the IRS and staffed by volunteers, provides free tax help primarily for taxpayers who are 60 and older. Volunteers are trained to help with questions about pensions, Social Security, disability and other government programs for older taxpayers.

TCEs are also offered at community centers, schools and senior centers. To find TCE programs in your area, visit the IRS Get Free Tax Help page.

[Read: How to File Taxes for Free.]

3. AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Program

The AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program, which has been helping taxpayers since 1968, offers free tax preparation help to anyone, but focuses primarily on people who are 50 and older or have low to moderate incomes.

You can meet with IRS-certified volunteers in person or virtually, or you can drop off your tax documents and work with a volunteer to finalize your return.

The Tax-Aide program also has coaches to help you prepare your own return. You can find AARP Foundation Tax-Aide locations and more information by visiting the Tax-Aide Locator and AARP Foundation Tax-Aide site.

[Read: Educational Tax Credits and Deductions You Can Claim for Tax Year 2023]

4. IRS Website

The IRS website is filled with information about tax filing, credits, deductions, tax forms and instructions. It also features a tool you can use to check on your refund and get other information to help you file your return. The Interactive Tax Assistant makes it easy to search for resources on the website.

[Read: When You Should (and Shouldn’t) Worry if Your Tax Refund Is Delayed.]

5. Internal Revenue Service Helpline

You can also call the IRS helpline at 800-829-1040 with your tax questions. The IRS used some money it received from the Inflation Reduction Act to hire 4,000 new customer service representatives to help answer phones and provide other services last year, so wait times should be shorter.

Visit the IRS Let Us Help You page for more information about contacting the IRS and other resources.

6. IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers

If you can’t get the IRS to answer certain questions online or over the phone, consider going to an IRS taxpayer assistance center.

You can set up an appointment at a local IRS office to get help with tax questions and issues. Use the Taxpayer Assistance Center Office Locator to find the nearest office and check out its available services.

7. Your State Tax Office

Your state department of revenue or taxation can help with questions about state taxes. Most of these websites have forms and instructions, information guides, contact information for taxpayer services and other resources. See the Federation of Tax Administrators’ state tax agencies guide for resources in your state.

8. Taxpayer Advocate Service

If you have a tax issue you can’t resolve with the IRS, you may want to contact the Taxpayer Advocate Service, an independent organization within the IRS created to help protect taxpayers’ rights.

The TAS primarily helps people with IRS system issues, financial hardship, and fair and equitable treatment concerns. See the TAS qualifier tool to find out if the organization can help with your tax issue. The TAS has offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

The TAS website is also filled with helpful resources, such as a tool to look up information about notices you may receive from the IRS, details about your rights and clear explanations regarding tax credits, law changes, and filing issues and errors.

9. Low Income Taxpayer Clinics

Low Income Tax Clinics help taxpayers below certain income thresholds resolve disputes with the IRS.

LITCs can represent taxpayers in audits, appeals and tax collection disputes for free or a small fee. Staff members can also answer questions about responding to IRS notices and help those who speak English as a second language understand their taxpayer rights.

See the Low Income Taxpayer Clinics page for more information and eligibility.

10. MilTax Program

Military families have special tax issues that are different from those of civilians, such as a tax-free housing allowance, tax-free income in a combat zone, higher Thrift Savings Plan contribution limits when deployed and special rules about state income taxes while on active duty. It can help to work with a program or expert who specializes in military tax rules.

The MilTax program is a free tax-filing and support service from the U.S. Department of Defense available to service members and qualifying veterans and family members. The program offers tax preparation help and specialized tax-filing software, and MilTax consultants are available year-round to answer tax questions.

11. IRS Free File and Other Online Programs

You may be able to file your taxes for free through IRS Free File, a program in which several online tax prep companies partner with the IRS to offer their services for free. These programs guide you through the process and do the math for you, making it easy to prepare and file your return online. Free File is available to taxpayers whose adjusted gross income in 2023 was $79,000 or less.

The IRS is also offering its new Direct File program, now available in 12 pilot states, that lets you file your taxes for free directly with the IRS.

Some online tax services also offer free programs and access to expert advice that aren’t based on income if you have a simple return, such as W-2 income from one job and a few common deductions.

12. Your Local Library or Community Center

You may have several local resources that can help you with taxes. Libraries, community centers and senior centers often hold tax preparation workshops or seminars, and volunteers may be available to help.

More from U.S. News

Kids and Taxes: 6 Tax Credits Parents Should Know About

These Are 3 of the Oddest Tax Deductions Ever — Are You Eligible for One?

What Is the EITC and Who Qualifies?

How to Get Free Help With Your Taxes originally appeared on usnews.com

Update 04/11/24: This story was published at an earlier date and has been updated with new information.

Federal News Network Logo
Log in to your WTOP account for notifications and alerts customized for you.

Sign up