Navigating the complexities of tax preparation can be daunting, especially for individuals with limited resources. Fortunately, several programs offer free tax-preparation services to help taxpayers file their returns accurately and on time. This article describes the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, Tax Counseling for the Elderly, MilTax and Free File programs, covering their eligibility criteria, services offered and how to access these programs.
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Tax Counseling for the Elderly programs offer free tax assistance to people who make $67,000 or less, people with disabilities and people with limited English-speaking skills.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recommends that taxpayers use resources available on the official IRS website. The IRS Free File program (see the following information) is also available. Free assistance is particularly helpful for low- and moderate-income taxpayers who can’t afford pricey tax advisers but may need help navigating complex IRS rules and tax forms.
Some filers may owe little tax or even no tax, or they might be entitled to a healthy refund. In addition, they may qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). If you are eligible for this “refundable” tax credit, the government will pay you cash for any amount of the credit that exceeds your tax liability.
The EITC is an important benefit—it can be as much as $8,046 for those with three or more qualifying children—so don’t miss out simply due to the cost of tax-filing assistance. Also learn more about tax credits you may be eligible for.
Here are several ways to file your taxes for free.
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program has operated for more than 50 years. VITA sites offer free tax help to people who need assistance in preparing their own tax returns, including:
- Those whose annual earnings are $67,000 or less
- Persons with disabilities
- Taxpayers who speak limited English
Volunteers who are trained and certified by the IRS are available at community centers, libraries, schools and other sites to help prepare federal tax returns. These volunteers can assist you with most types of income reporting: wages and salaries, interest and dividend income, pension and Social Security benefits, simple capital gains and state tax refunds.
Other issues for which they provide assistance include self-employment income, health savings accounts, itemized deductions and some (but not all) cases for sale of a home. However, they cannot provide assistance for Schedule C (sole proprietorship business) with losses or complicated capital gains and losses.
How to access VITA services
Find a VITA site: Taxpayers can locate a VITA site by visiting the IRS website or calling the IRS toll-free number.
Prepare for your visit: Taxpayers should bring all necessary documents, including photo identification, Social Security cards, wage and earning statements (Forms W-2, W-2G, 1098, 1099), interest and dividend statements and a copy of last year’s federal and state returns if available.
Tax Counseling for the Elderly
Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) offers help to people who are 60 and older with questions about pensions and retirement-related issues for seniors.
MilTax
MilTax is a free tax service offered by the Department of Defense through Military OneSource. It provides tax-preparation and e-filing services to members of the U.S. Armed Forces and qualified veterans. VITA sites may refer eligible military personnel to MilTax for specialized assistance.
IRS Free File
Filers with an adjusted gross income of up to $84,000 can take advantage of the Free File program through the IRS, which provides free access to brand-name tax-preparation software and free e-filing. Taxpayers can choose the software package that best fits their needs.
A big advantage to Free File is using the e-filing option and signing up for direct deposit so that you get your tax refund in a matter of days instead of waiting weeks for a check in the mail.
Those with an income above $84,000 can use Fillable Forms through the Free File service. This service allows you to e-file your federal return and get a quick refund, but it doesn’t provide any assistance beyond the directions on the tax forms themselves.
I don’t qualify for free tax prep help. Now what?
If you are not eligible for free tax preparation, the cheapest option—of course—is to fill out the tax forms yourself. For individuals whose only income is the wages or salary reported on a W-2, it’s not very difficult.
Those who have more complicated tax returns may want to seek the assistance of paid tax preparers. Remember, though, that various online programs are not prohibitively expensive and can lead you through the process rather painlessly.
Conclusion
Free tax-preparation programs such as the VITA, TCE, MilTax and Free File programs provide invaluable assistance to eligible taxpayers, ensuring that they file their returns accurately and claim all the credits and deductions to which they are entitled. By leveraging these resources, taxpayers can navigate the complexities of tax preparation with confidence and ease. To access these services, visit the programs’ websites or contact the programs directly.
Thanks to your NEA membership, you can find discounts on tax software. Check our NEA Discount Marketplace for discounts and cash-back offers from tax software providers such as Quicken, TurboTax, TaxAct and H&R Block. On the NEA Discount Marketplace page, in the “Browse Cash Back Stores” navigation area, click the “Office Supplies” filter and then click “Finance & Tax Prep” to see the available offers.
Make sure you figure out if a any tax deductions are available to you based on your educator status and related expenses.
Additionally, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, an agency created as part of the Dodd-Frank Reform and Consumer Protection Act in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis, posts updated links each tax season with tools to help taxpayers.
NOTE: Information in this article is accurate as of March 1, 2025.
