23 Jan How can seniors get help with taxes for free?

Q. Are there any organizations who help file taxes for seniors free of charge? Also, do they have income limits?
— Senior

A. Yes, there are.

You have two well-regarded options.

First is the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program that the Internal Revenue Service has operated for over 50 years, said Neil Becourtney, a certified public accountant and tax director with Smolin, Lupin & Co. in Red Bank.

“It is free and helps low-moderate income individuals, people with disabilities, the elderly and limited English speakers,” he said. “There is an income threshold of $67,000 to be eligible for VITA.”

The IRS also offers a Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) program, which offers free tax help, particularly for those who are 60 years of age and older, Becourtney said. Workers specialize in questions about pensions and retirement related issues unique to seniors.

“While the IRS manages the VITA and TCE programs, the VITA/TCE sites are operated by IRS partners such as non-profit organizations, local municipalities, and colleges and universities, staffed by volunteers that are certified by the IRS involving taking and passing tax law training that meets or exceeds IRS standards,” he said.

Becourtney notes that the IRS estimates that each filing season tens of thousands of volunteers prepare millions of federal and state income tax returns through these programs.

A one-page IRS publication, 3676-B, spells out the services provided and lists what to bring to a VITA or TCE site.

There is a VITA/TCE Locator Tool on the IRS website or you can call call 800-906-9887 for help.

The AARP offers its AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program, providing tax assistance free of charge with a special focus on taxpayers who are over age 50 with low-moderate income, Becourtney said.

“Tax-Aide volunteers are located nationwide and are trained and IRS-certified annually,” he said.

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This story was originally published in January 2025. 

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