Looking for some help preparing your income tax returns but can’t afford the cost? The IRS sponsors two programs that may help.
Valerie RumboughThe Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program offers free tax help to people who earn less than $49,000. Most locations offer free electronic filing.
The Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) Program offers free tax help to taxpayers who are 60 or older. The IRS trains community volunteers so they can help eligible taxpayers. Also, as part of the TCE program, the AARP offers the Tax-Aide free tax preparation program to individuals with low to moderate income, with special attention paid to those age 60 or older.
The military also partners with the IRS to provide free tax assistance to military personnel and their families. Volunteers are trained to know about credits and deductions specific to military-specific issues. You can find out the location of a local site by either visiting the IRS website, http://www.irs.gov, or by calling the IRS toll-free number, 1-800-906-9887. To locate the nearest AARP Tax-Aide site, call 1-888-227-7669 or visit www.aarp.org.
While you are working on gathering all the information necessary to prepare your taxes, also think about organizing your personal and financial information in one place. Then, if something happens to you, those you leave behind can find your tax information and everything else without having to search endlessly.
– Rumbough, CPA, CFP, is chief operations officer with the Baptist Foundation of South Carolina. Contact her at 800-723-7242. In accordance with IRS Circular 230, any U.S. federal tax advice contained in this communication is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of (i) avoiding penalties under the Internal Revenue Code or (ii) promoting, marketing, or recommending to another party any transaction or matter addressed herein.