The IRS’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) ad Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs offer free basic tax return preparation to qualified individuals.
VITA sites offer free tax help to people needing assistance in preparing their own tax returns, including:
- People who generally make $67,000 or less
- Persons with disabilities; and
- Limited English-speaking taxpayers.
The TCE program offers free tax help, particularly to those who are 60 years of age or older, specializing in questions about pensions and retirement-related issues unique to seniors.
The IRS manages both of these tax assistance programs, however, the individual sites are operated by IRS partners and staffed by volunteers who want to make a difference in their communities. The IRS-certified volunteers are often retired individuals associated with nonprofit organizations that receive grants from the IRS. They must take and pass tax law training that meets or exceeds IRS standards.
What to bring to the VITA or TCE site: For married filing joint, both spouses must be present • Government issued photo identification for you and your spouse (if married) • Social Security cards or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number documents for you, your spouse, and/or dependents • Birth dates for you, spouse, and/or dependents • A copy of last year’s tax return • All Forms W-2 and 1099 • Forms 1095-A, B or C (ACA Statements) • Information for other income • Information for all deductions (including charitable contributions)/credits • Total paid to day care provider and their tax ID number • For direct deposit of refund, proof of account and bank’s routing number • For prior year returns, copies of income transcripts from IRS (and state, if applicable)
Where to find a VITA or TCE site near you:
Call 800-906-9887 or go to the Missouri Department of Revenue Tax Assistance Information, and click on IRS Free tax return preparation for qualifying tax payers.
In addition to VITA or TCE, AARP Foundation Tax-Aide provides tax assistance to anyone, free of charge, with a focus on taxpayers who are over 50 and have low to moderate income. You DO NOT have to be an AARP member to use this service.
Volunteers are IRS-certified every year, so they understand the latest changes and additions to the tax code. You can choose to have an IRS-certified volunteer prepare your taxes or provide coaching so you can prepare them yourself.
Tax-Aide is the nation’s largest free tax assistance and preparation service. Every year, from early February to mid-April, volunteers take appointments at over 3,600 locations around the country.
To find an AARP Tax-Aide site near you, and for documents you will need to bring to your appointment, email taxaide@aarp.org or call toll free 1-800-227-7669.
