Many taxpayers aren’t aware that the Internal Revenue Service provides free income preparation for elderly and low-to-moderate income taxpayers. This free tax help is available through the IRS Volunteer Tax Assistance program (VTA).

The Volunteer Tax Assistance program is an IRS sponsored, community-based volunteer program available nationwide. The tax assistance program is an IRS partnership with non-profit and community organizations who provide the free tax help and perform the free tax preparation.

To qualify for the free IRS tax help, taxpayers must specific criteria. Here are the top 10 things the IRS wants you to know about these volunteer programs.

1. The IRS sponsors both the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Tax Counseling for the Elderly programs.
2. The IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program offers free tax help to people who earn less than $49,000. Most locations offer free electronic filing.
3. The Tax Counseling for the Elderly Program offers free tax help to taxpayers who are 60 and older.
4. The IRS trains community volunteers so they can help eligible taxpayers with several special credits, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit, the Child Tax Credit and the Credit for the Elderly.
5. Many volunteer sites have language specialists to assist people with limited English skills.
6. More than 12,000 free tax preparation sites are open nationwide this year as the IRS continues to expand its partnerships with nonprofit and community organizations performing these vital tax preparation services.
7. As part of the TCE program, AARP offers the Tax-Aide free tax preparation program at over 6,000 sites nationwide during the filing season. Trained and certified AARP Tax-Aide volunteers provide assistance to taxpayers with low-to-moderate income, with special attention paid to those 60 and older.
8. The military also partners with the IRS to provide free tax assistance to military personnel and their families. The Armed Forces Tax Council consists of the tax program coordinators for the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard. Volunteers are trained and equipped to address military-specific tax issues, such as combat zone tax benefits.
9. Locations and hours of operation are often available through city information hotlines and local community organizations.
10. Local VITA site information is also available at 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 (888-AARPNOW) or visit www aarp.org.

Elderly and low-to-moderate income taxpayers should take advantage of the free tax preparation and tax help available through the IRS Volunteer Tax Assistance Program.

source: irs.gov

Tax Day, April 15, is quickly approaching. It is when federal income tax returns are due and the last day U.S. citizens and resident aliens can mail their returns without incurring penalties. Even with the tax deadline just days away, individuals having difficulty preparing their income tax return can still get free tax help.

The IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) Programs offers free tax help for taxpayers. The programs can help taxpayers by answering tax questions, offering tax advice, discussing tax problems and providing free tax return preparation assistance. Most VITA sites also offer free electronic filing (e-filing)

To take advantage of the VITA program, individuals must earn less than $49,000 and cannot prepare their own tax returns.

The Tax Counseling for the Elderly Program provides free tax help to people 60 and older. TCE is run by trained volunteers who provide free income tax counseling, answer income tax questions and help the elderly with tax problems.

Individuals in the military can also take advantage of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program through the Armed Forces Tax Council (AFTC). The AFTC consists of the tax program coordinators in all branches of the military, including the Coast Guard.

Members of the military and their families can get help with free tax preparation, having their military specific tax questions answered and consultation on any tax problem they may have.

When visiting the VITA/TCE sites don’t forget to bring the following:

• Proof of identification (Social Security Cards for you, your spouse and dependents)
• Wage and earning statement(s) Form W-2, W-2G, 1099-R, from all employers
• Interest and dividend statements from banks (Forms 1099)
• Bank routing numbers and account numbers for Direct Deposit
• Total paid for daycare provider and the daycare provider’s tax identifying number
• A copy of last year’s federal and state returns if available (if available)
• To file taxes electronically on a married-filing-joint tax return, both spouses must be present to sign the required form

For more information on TCE, call 1-800-829-1040 or log onto www.irs.gov

In this economic climate it makes sense to take advantage of the free tax help provided by the IRS.

source: irs.gov