Paying someone to file a basic tax return is not the only option. The IRS runs free programs staffed by trained volunteers. This guide summarizes the IRS page on free tax return preparation for qualifying taxpayers. It is general education, not tax advice.
By the Exsura Team · October 17, 2026
The IRS says its Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs “offer free basic tax return preparation to qualified individuals.” It says the VITA program has operated for over 50 years.
The IRS says it does not set a program-wide income limit, but individual VITA sites may set their own, and the program generally focuses on taxpayers who meet the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) income guidelines. It says many sites offer free help to people who generally make about $70,244 or less, persons with disabilities and limited English-speaking taxpayers. The TCE program offers free tax help particularly for people who are 60 years of age and older, specializing in questions about pensions and retirement-related issues. The IRS says a majority of TCE sites are operated by the AARP Foundation’s Tax-Aide program.
The IRS manages the programs, but it says the sites are operated by IRS partners and staffed by volunteers. All volunteers who prepare returns must take and pass tax law training that meets or exceeds IRS standards, which includes maintaining the privacy and confidentiality of taxpayer information, and the IRS says it requires a quality review check for every return prepared at a VITA/TCE site before filing.
The IRS says sites are generally located at community and neighborhood centers, libraries, schools, shopping malls and other convenient locations. To find a VITA or TCE site, use the IRS VITA Locator Tool or call 800-906-9887. For AARP Tax-Aide sites between January and April, use the AARP Site Locator Tool or call 888-227-7669. The IRS notes that the locator is updated regularly from February through April.
It also says some sites offer a self-prep option, where you prepare your own basic federal and state return with web-based software and an IRS-certified volunteer to guide you. That option is only available at locations that list “Self-Prep” in the site listing.
The IRS says to see Publication 3676-B for the services provided and to check what to bring so you have all the documents and information volunteers will need. It notes that available services can vary at each site depending on the volunteers certified with the tax law expertise your return requires. If you owe on a debt or are facing a collector, see what to do first when a debt collector contacts you. For free money coaching in Dallas, see the Dallas Financial Empowerment Center.
The IRS says the VITA and TCE programs offer free basic tax return preparation to qualified individuals.
The IRS says it does not set a program-wide income limit but individual VITA sites may set their own. It says the program generally focuses on taxpayers who meet the EITC income guidelines and that many sites offer help to people who generally make about $70,244 or less.
Use the IRS VITA Locator Tool or call 800-906-9887. For AARP Tax-Aide sites, which the IRS says operate most TCE sites, call 888-227-7669. The IRS says the locator is updated regularly from February through April.
The IRS says all volunteers who prepare returns must take and pass tax law training that meets or exceeds IRS standards, and that every return gets a quality review check before filing.
Sources last checked October 17, 2026. This article is general education, not financial, legal or medical advice. Rules, fees and programs change, so confirm details with the organization before you act.
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