Learn How to File Your Taxes for FREE With These 6 Services

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is the federal government agency that oversees the tax collection process. For some taxpayers, paying a tax preparation service or company to prepare their tax returns can be out of reach. 

In response, the agency offers the IRS Free File program, which is available to most middle-to-lower income Americans. There are two options within this program:

• Guided Preparation: Individuals and joint filers who make $73,000 or less per year can use free IRS partner software to file taxes for free online. All you do is answer questions about your income, household composition, qualifying life events (new mortgage, marriage, divorce, birth or adoption of a child, etc.), and other information required to file your taxes. Then, it does all the math for you, helping you file your return with just a few clicks. There are many IRS-recommended online tax preparers that can make it easier to file your taxes if you’re unfamiliar with IRS forms.
• Do-It-Yourself Fillable Forms: If you make more than $73,000 or are experienced with preparing your own taxes, you can download and fill out IRS forms directly on the website. However, you may only want to go this route if you know how to complete the forms per current taxation standards, including tax brackets, write-offs, deductions and other similar standards. 

Note that the IRS Free File program is a form of free federal tax filing. If you have to file state and/or municipal taxes, you may still have to pay to file those returns separately.

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program is another free way to get IRS help filing your taxes. This program trains and deploys volunteer tax preparers in low-income and underserved communities, including communities with large populations of immigrants or people with disabilities. 

If you live in an underserved area, you could get tax help through the VITA taxes program at no cost to you. It offers the convenience of having the input and math done for you with the free experience of working one-on-one with a tax preparer.

Here’s how you may be able to take advantage of the VITA community tax help program:

• Find a local VITA center near you. Visit IRS.gov to find the nearest VITA center, which may be a local library, school or college, community center, or another social center. Depending on where you want to go, you may need to make an appointment for free tax preparers service or show up for first-come, first-served walk-up service.
• Gather all of your relevant documentation. On IRS.gov or the VITA center’s site, you can often find a list containing the documents you’ll need to bring to your tax preparation. Some items may include your IRS forms W-2 and/or 1099, paystubs, proof of mailing/physical address, and a valid I.D.
• Attend your VITA appointment. The tax preparer may ask you questions about your family composition, work history, qualifying life events, and more to comprehensively fill out your tax forms. Then, the preparer can file your return for you for free, right then and there.
• Wait for your refund. After your appointment, all you need to do is wait for your refund to be deposited into your bank account or arrive by check. If you are not expected to receive a refund, you’re done with the process. But if you need to pay owed taxes, you may be able to fill out the forms and make the payment with the help of your tax preparer, or they may give you the information you need to do so on your own.

If you are at least 60 years of age, you may be able to get free senior citizen tax help through the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) program. This program provides one-on-one tax preparation help for older Americans. 

Like VITA, this program is a free volunteer-based tax preparation service where you meet with a trained tax preparer and provide the documentation regarding the following:

• Annual income
• Qualifying life events
• Expenses
• Household composition

One of the largest benefits of using the TCE program is that you can work with one of the IRS’s free tax preparers for seniors who have been specifically trained and educated in tax standards relevant to seniors. This means they know how to correctly report income sources common among older Americans, including the following:

• Social Security payments
• Pensions
• IRA investment returns
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments
• Disability payments 

You can find free tax services for elderly folks through local TCE programs, which are commonly located in the same places where VITA programs are held. You may need to make an appointment, or you may be able to just show up for first-come, first-served tax help for the elderly. Be sure to bring all relevant documentation with you, such as income statements from Social Security, SSI, 1099s, earnings statements from investment accounts, and a valid I.D.

AARP is a private organization that offers tax help for the elderly through its AARP Tax-Aide program. This program provides free AARP tax help to taxpayers who are 50 years of age or older and have moderate and/or fixed income. 

Like the VITA and TCE programs, AARP tax preparation volunteers are trained and certified per IRS standards every year. And, like the volunteers that serve the TCE program, these volunteers are also specially educated and trained in the standards relevant to retired folks and the elderly.

There are AARP tax prep assistance locations all over the country. Simply visit AARP.org, navigate to the Tax Aide site, and click “Get Started” to search for a center closest to you. If there isn’t a location that’s convenient for you or you would rather have your taxes prepared from the comfort of your own home, you can also make an appointment to get AARP tax service online. 

MilTax is free-to-use tax preparation software that’s specifically designed for active duty military service members in any branch, including: 

• Air Force
• Navy
• Marines
• Army
• National Guard
• Coast Guard

There is a MilTax for veterans option that is available to qualifying retired and discharged service members for up to 180 days after the end date of their service. 

MilTax software is provided by the U.S. Department of Defense and is a secure electronic tax-filing service. It is programmed with the latest tax standards for military personnel and their families. Like the IRS partner software, MilTax is free to use, does all the math for you, and allows you to simply file your tax return online. 

The software guides you through the entire tax filing process. It also provides access to virtual VITA tax preparation assistance should you have any questions along the way.

It’s important to use verified tax preparation software that is secure, confidential, and free. You may find websites that offer “H&R Block MilTax services” that aren’t trustworthy. While H&R Block may offer military personnel tax preparation services at a cost, you get free, secure, and confidential filing when you go to MilitaryOneSource.mil and use the login page there.

There are a variety of other tax filing software services that have free filing options for simple tax returns. Some free online tax preparation services you can use include TurboTax Free and TaxAct Free. 

Both online software options can walk you through your filing process by asking you questions, and each calculates how much you owe and whether you can expect a refund. You may even get virtual, one-on-one assistance from a tax expert. These secure sites send your return right to the IRS, and you can check the status of your return by logging back into your account at any time.

However, these free online tax filing options may or may not provide the tax preparation guidance you need to file your taxes correctly and efficiently. What’s more, these online tax places may not actually offer completely free online tax filing because, while your federal tax return may be free, you may have to pay for state and municipal tax returns. Plus, if you’re a contractor and/or self-employed person, you typically cannot file a simple tax return or file for free.