10 Oct I’ve heard I can get free tax help. How?

Q. I’ve heard I can get free tax help. How?
— Taxpayer

A. You’re correct.

There is free help out there, but not everyone qualifies.

The IRS offers two important programs: Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE).

These offer free basic tax return preparation if you qualify.

VITA is available for people who generally make $60,000 or less, persons with disabilities and limited English-speaking taxpayers

The TCE program offers free tax help for those who are 60 years of age and older and it specializes in questions about pensions and retirement-related issues unique to seniors, the IRS said .

“While the IRS manages the VITA and TCE programs, the VITA/TCE sites are operated by IRS partners and staffed by volunteers who want to make a difference in their communities,” the agency said.” The IRS-certified volunteers who provide tax counseling are often retired individuals associated with non-profit organizations that receive grants from the IRS.”

It says all VITA/TCE volunteers who prepare returns must take and pass tax law training that meets or exceeds IRS standards.

“This training includes maintaining the privacy and confidentiality of all taxpayer information,” it said. “In addition to requiring volunteers to certify their knowledge of the tax laws, the IRS requires a quality review check for every return prepared at a VITA/TCE site prior to filing.”

Before going to a VITA or TCE site, the IRS said you should check Publication 3676-B for services provided and check out this link to see what you should bring.

To find a VITA site near you, you can use the VITA Locator Tool or call (800) 906-9887.

Most TCE sites are operated by the AARP Foundation’s Tax Aide program. To find one, use the AARP Site Locator Tool or call (888) 227-7669.

Email your questions to .

This story was originally published on Oct. 10, 2023.

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