Taxes
Free tax help (VITA, TCE, Tax-Aide)
IRS-certified volunteers prepare basic tax returns for free through the IRS's VITA and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs. TCE focuses on people 60 and older and on pension and retirement questions, and most TCE sites are run by AARP Foundation's Tax-Aide program.
How to apply
- By phone
- 1-800-906-9887
- In person
- VITA and TCE sites at community and neighborhood centers, libraries, schools, shopping malls and other places near you
Applying is free. Nobody should charge you to apply.
Apply on the official siteWho may qualify
| Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) | Focuses on people 60 and older, especially with pension and retirement questions |
|---|---|
| Who many VITA sites serve (IRS figure as of Oct 2026) | People who generally make about $70,244 or less, people with disabilities, and people with limited English |
| Income limit | The IRS doesn't set a program-wide limit, but each site may set its own |
What you may get
| Cost | Free |
|---|---|
| Who prepares your return | IRS-certified volunteers who must pass tax law training that meets or exceeds IRS standards |
| Quality check | The IRS requires a quality review of every return before it's filed |
Dates, renewals and waiting lists
| When the site locator is updated | Regularly from February through April |
|---|---|
| AARP Tax-Aide site finder | January through April |
Good to know
- Most TCE sites are run by AARP Foundation's Tax-Aide program. Between January and April, find one with the AARP Site Locator Tool or call 1-888-227-7669.
- Services vary from site to site, depending on which certified volunteers are available.
- Some sites let you prepare your own return for free with a volunteer's help. Look for "Self-Prep" in the site listing.
What to have ready
What to have ready
- Photo ID for you and your spouse if filing jointly, such as a driver's license, state ID or passport
- Social Security cards for you, your spouse and your dependents
- Birth dates for everyone on the return
- Your Social Security Benefit Statement (SSA-1099), if you get benefits
- Income forms such as W-2, W-2G, 1099-R and 1099-MISC, and interest and dividend statements (Forms 1099)
- A copy of last year's federal and state returns, if you have them
- Your bank's routing number and your account number for direct deposit, such as a blank check
- If you're married filing jointly and e-filing, both spouses need to be there to sign
What people get wrong
MythFree tax help is only for people with very low incomes.
Not true. The IRS doesn't set a program-wide income limit, though some sites set their own, and the TCE program focuses on people 60 and older.
MythFree help means untrained helpers.
Not true. Every volunteer who prepares returns must pass IRS tax law training, and every return gets a quality review before it's filed.
Sources
- Internal Revenue Service, Free tax return preparation for qualifying taxpayers (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- Internal Revenue Service, Checklist for free tax return preparation (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
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