IRS Offers Assistance for Doing Taxes

The IRS offers Free File Guided Tax Software, tax assistance for lower- and middle-income individuals, and help for those who are 60 years old or older.

Column distributed by Hearst Connecticut Media Group.

Links to resources referenced:

• IRS News Release: Free File opens Friday
  • https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-free-file-opens-friday-free-tax-filing-service-available-to-millions-on-irsgov  
  • Related column excerpt:
    • “$84,000 and up: Free File Fillable Forms are available beginning Jan. 27 for taxpayers with AGIs above $84,000, according to the IRS news release ‘IRS Free File opens Friday.’” 
• IRS Free File: Do Your Taxes for Free
  • https://www.irs.gov/filing/irs-free-file-do-your-taxes-for-free
  • Related column excerpt:
    • “Less than $84,000: Eight private-sector partners are providing online guided tax software products for those taxpayers who in 2024 had an adjusted gross income of $84,000 or less. One of the partners, exTaxReturn.com, will have an IRS Free File product in Spanish. (You can find out more details about Free File tax software and Fillable Forms at the IRS Free File webpage.)”
• IRS tax volunteers
  • https://www.irs.gov/individuals/irs-tax-volunteers
  • Related column excerpt:
    • “The IRS has Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs, where trained individuals ‘provide free tax help for low-to-moderate income families who need assistance preparing their tax returns.’”
• IRS free tax preparation for qualifying taxpayers
  • https://www.irs.gov/individuals/free-tax-return-preparation-for-qualifying-taxpayers
  • Related column excerpt:
    • Age 60 or older: TCE is ‘particularly for those who are 60 years of age and older, specializing in questions about pensions and retirement-related issues unique to seniors,’ quoting the IRS Free tax preparation webpage.”
• IRS VITA/TCE Locator Tool
  • https://irs.treasury.gov/freetaxprep/
  • Related column excerpt:
    • “Locations: If you are interested in getting help, look for sites near you by using internet search tools or by calling via phone. For searching the VITA and TCE sites, use the IRS VITA/TCE Locator Tool.”
• AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Side Locator
  • https://www.aarp.org/money/taxes/aarp_taxaide/locations.html
  • Related column excerpt:
    • “The IRS points out that the majority of TCE sites are operated by the AARP Foundation’s Tax Aide program. The AARP also offers a search tool, or you can call 888-227-7669.”
• IRS: What to bring to your local VITA or TCE site
  • https://www.irs.gov/individuals/checklist-for-free-tax-return-preparation
  • Related column excerpt:
    • “There is a list of things you will want to bring to the appointment, which you can find on the IRS webpage ‘What to bring to your local VITA or TCE site.’ Included in the list are things like:
    • “Original photo ID for you and your spouse (if married and filing jointly), like a driver’s license or an employer or school ID
    • “Social Security cards for you, your spouse and your dependents
    • “Wage and earning statements
    • “A copy of last year’s federal and state tax returns
    • “Be sure to check out the full list.”
• IRS: Earned Income Tax Credit
  • https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/individuals/earned-income-tax-credit-eitc
  • Related column excerpt:
    • “Giuntini pointed out that earned income tax credits and education credits are things that people may overlook or not fully understand, yet they can benefit from them. He added that if you have a low income and also have children, ‘you may not have a tax liability, but you could be eligible for the earned income tax credit.’ (You can find more details about that at the IRS webpage ‘Earned Income Tax Credit.’)”
• AARP Tax Aide website for Lower Fairfield County
  • https://www.taxaidegreaterstamford.org/Related column excerpt:
  • “Connecticut’s AARP Tax Aide will open on Feb. 1. You can go to the AARP Tax Aide website for Lower Fairfield County for more information.”
• IRS: Get ready to file your taxes
  • https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-ready-to-file-your-taxes
  • Related column excerpt:
    • “For all taxpayers, the IRS webpage ‘Get ready to file your taxes’ can help you prepare for filing this year’s income tax form.”
• IRS: People helping people
  • https://www.irs.gov/individuals/people-helping-people
  • Related column excerpt:
    • “If you are interested in volunteering with the IRS for free tax preparation, see the IRS webpage ‘People helping people.’”