What Tax Services are Free and How to Access Them

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) offers a range of free tax services to help taxpayers prepare and file their federal tax returns. IRS Free File is a secure, easy, and free way to prepare and file your federal taxes online. Through guided tax preparation, you can access partner IRS sites or fillable Free File forms. The program is designed to provide free tax help to people age 60 and older, but there is no minimum age requirement.

Taxpayers with relatively simple returns often pay hundreds of dollars to file their taxes through domestic tax preparation companies. However, with the IRS Free File program, you can file your taxes for free through online software programs or get direct help from tax professionals who volunteer through an IRS-sponsored program. If you owe additional taxes and can't pay that amount with your return, your preparer can provide you with instructions on payment options, including how to request an installment agreement with the IRS. The IRS Free File PPP program is not a traditional contractual agreement; it represents a balance between joint responsibility and collaboration that serves the interests of taxpayers and the federal government.

In addition to VITA, the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) program offers free basic tax return preparation to qualified individuals, especially those age 60 and older. Volunteers are trained and certified to provide free basic tax return preparation to qualified individuals. You can also view the balance due, payment history, or other information for your tax account by creating or viewing your account. The IRS also offers a federal grant program that helps community organizations provide free tax preparation to low- and moderate-income people, people with disabilities, seniors, and people who speak limited English.

Students will love the quick and simple features of the IRS Free File program, while parents can get information about the earned income credit and the child tax credit, including the necessary IRS letters before filing the application. Companies associated with Free File may not disclose or use tax return information for purposes other than preparing tax returns without your informed and voluntary consent.