Topic: IRS Offers Free Tax Return Preparation to Low Income OR to Elderly Earners!

[Software Santa]

IRS Offers Free Tax Return Preparation to Low Income OR to Elderly Earners! Volunteer Assisted help totally guides you through your Basic Tax Return Preparation!

Also See: IRS Free File - free for taxpayers if your 2020 adjusted gross income was $72,000 or less

The Global Pandemic put a crimp in this service ... it may not be as available as in Previous Years! The IRS has just announced that it is extending the tax-filing deadline to May 17 2021.

Many sites are temporarily closed:

This year, some VITA/TCE sites are not operating at full capacity and others are not opening. To locate an open site near you, use the VITA/TCE Locator Tool or the AARP Site Locator Tool. The locator tools are updated throughout the filing season, so check back if you don’t see a nearby site listed. Also, please review the other online resources and tax help tools on IRS.gov including tax forms, instructions and publications, online payment methods and options to file with IRS Free File - free for taxpayers if your 2020 adjusted gross income was $72,000 or less.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwU7dQFQM_Q

https://irs.treasury.gov/freetaxprep/
https://www.irs.gov/individuals/find-a-location-for-free-tax-prep

The IRS's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs offer free basic tax return preparation to qualified individuals. The VITA program has operated for over 50 years, offering free tax help to:
 

• People who generally make $54,000 or less
• Persons with disabilities; and
• Limited English-speaking taxpayers

who need assistance in preparing their own tax returns.
In addition to VITA, the TCE program offers free tax help, particularly for those who are 60 years of age and older, specializing 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 managed by IRS partners and staffed by their volunteers who want to make a difference in their communities. The IRS-certified volunteers who provide tax counseling are often retired individuals associated with non-profit organizations that receive grants from the IRS.

VITA/TCE services are not only free, they are also a reliable and trusted source for preparing tax returns. 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.

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. Each filing season, tens of thousands of dedicated VITA/TCE volunteers prepare millions of federal and state returns. They also assist taxpayers with the preparation of thousands of Facilitated Self-Assistance returns.

(Many of the TCE service sites are donated by the AARP Tax-AIDE. https://secure.aarp.org/applications/VMISLocator/searchTaxAideLocations.action )

Before your visit:
Before going to a VITA or TCE site, see
Publication 3676-B PDF for services provided and check out What to Bring to ensure you have all the required documents and information our volunteers will need to help you.

Note: Available services can vary at each site due to the availability of volunteers certified with the tax law expertise required for your return.
Some VITA sites offer CAA service to taxpayers along with their VITA program.

Also, visit the FDIC website for information on where to find a bank that can open an account online and how to choose the right account for you.


Find a VITA or TCE Site Near You

VITA and TCE sites are generally located at community and neighborhood centers, libraries, schools, shopping malls and other convenient locations across the country. To locate the nearest VITA or TCE site near you, use the VITA Locator Tool or call 1-800-906-9887.

When looking for a TCE site, keep in mind that a majority of the TCE sites are operated by the AARP Foundation's Tax Aide program. To locate the nearest AARP TCE Tax-Aide site between January and April use the AARP Site Locator Tool or call 888-227-7669.
At select tax sites, taxpayers also have an option to prepare their own basic federal and state tax return for free using web-based tax preparation software with an IRS-certified volunteer to help guide you through the process. This option is only available at locations that list "Self-Prep" in the site listing.
Attention: The locator is updated regularly from February through April.

https://www.irs.gov/individuals/find-a-location-for-free-tax-prep

https://irs.treasury.gov/freetaxprep/