With tax season underway and deadlines looming, many Americans are once again struggling to file their tax returns. While filing taxes can be annoying, the IRS offers a variety of tools and programs to help taxpayers file their taxes accurately and on time.
This year, filers will also have many more resources to use. Additional IRS funding from the Inflation Reduction Act and changes to existing programs will connect taxpayers to enhanced assistance programs and expanded free filing services.
Read on to learn more about these programs and resources, which the IRS offers for free.
How to Get Free Tax Help from the IRS
The IRS provides free tax assistance through various in-person and online efforts to answer people’s questions about topics such as capital gains, tax brackets, tax credits and more. For example, qualified taxpayers can prepare and file their electronic returns for free using the IRS Free File and Direct File programs, while the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Tax Counseling for Seniors programs allow others to receive in-person assistance in preparing their return. tax declaration. , free.
Free IRS File
The IRS Free File program is a collaboration between the agency and private tax preparation and filing software companies such as ezTaxReturn and FreeTaxUSA.
While these companies normally charge for computer programs that allow you to file taxes electronically, the IRS Free File program allows certain individuals to access these services for free. In 2024, the IRS significantly expanded the eligibility requirements for its Free File program, allowing many more taxpayers the opportunity to use it.
Taxpayers with adjusted gross incomes (or AGI) under $79,000 for 2023 can access free guided tax preparation tools and be guided in filing their taxes. Those with AGIs above $79,000 can access the IRS’s free file fillable forms and complete them independently and for free, although this option requires some tax knowledge.
Check out our guide on how to file taxes for free to read about alternatives to the Free File program.
Links and contact information:
IRS Direct File
This tax season, the IRS is testing a new Direct File service in a pilot program in 12 states. Depending on where you live and how complex your tax return is, you may be able to file taxes directly through the IRS for free.
The program, available in both English and Spanish, will provide taxpayers with step-by-step guidance when filing taxes directly through the IRS. Crucially, the program also offers ways to connect with IRS customer service representatives for “real-time online support,” according to its website. These representatives can guide presenters through basic tax law questions and provide technical support. They have the ability to also connect taxpayers to other IRS help channels for additional assistance.
As part of the pilot project, only those living in the following states can use the Direct File service this year:
- Arizona
- California
- Florida
- Massachusetts
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New York
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Washington
- Wyoming
Additionally, only W-2 employees and those receiving Social Security or unemployment income will be able to use the service. For more information, read Money’s story on how to take the IRS Direct File test.
Links and contact information:
Voluntary Income Tax Assistance (VITA)
The VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) program is one of two free, in-person IRS basic tax return preparation programs. For the 2024 tax season, VITA offers help with:
- People who generally earn $64,000 or less
- People with disabilities
- Limited English speaking contributors
The VITA program is overseen by the IRS but is operated entirely by IRS-certified volunteers in physical locations across the country. VITA volunteers undergo training that meets or exceeds IRS requirements, making the program an excellent free resource for many people.
Publication 3676-B lists services offered at VITA sites, which include assistance with state tax refunds, reporting unemployment benefits and gambling winnings. You can also access a checklist of required documents (government-issued identification card, Social Security card or individual taxpayer identification number, etc.) that you must bring with you during your visit.
Links and contact information:
Tax advice for the elderly (TCE)
The Tax Counseling for Seniors (TCE) program is the second of the IRS’s two free in-person tax return preparation programs. It addresses all tax issues and issues handled by VITA (including concerns about the Child Tax Credit and the Earned Income Tax Credit) but focuses on individuals age 60 and older.
The TCE program helps answer tax questions on topics such as pensions and other retirement-related issues such as Social Security benefits, as well as offering assistance in preparing your tax return.
Most TCE sites are operated by the AARP Foundation’s Tax Aide program and are open January through April.
Links and contact information:
Armed Forces Fiscal Council (AFTC)
According to the Department of Defense’s Office of Financial Readiness, “the Armed Forces Tax Council oversees the operation of VITA and military tax programs worldwide and serves as the primary conduit for IRS outreach to service members and their families”.
While military members can travel to any VITA location accessible to civilians, AFTC ensures they also have access to VITA program services at many U.S. military installations around the world.
Military members can find a VITA location by using the VITA site locator tool or by visiting Military OneSource.
Interactive Tax Assistant (ITA)
The ITA is a tool that can answer several tax code questions specific to your individual circumstances. The way it achieves this is by giving you a long list of topics for which you can then provide specific answers and narrow down the answer.
The list is divided into categories to make it easier to find a relevant topic. Categories include:
- Filing requirements, form to use, expiration date
- Filing status and dependents
- Retirement: Pensions, IRA, Social Security
- Other income
- Deductions
- Credits
- International
- Additional topics
Where is my refund?
Where is my refund? the tool allows you to check the status of your tax refund. By providing the IRS with basic information such as your Social Security number or ITIN, filing status, and the exact amount of your refund, the agency can provide you with an update on the current status of your refund.
The tool can be accessed through both irs.gov and the IRS2GO mobile app. Expect a minimum of 24 hours after filing your tax return online or four weeks after mailing it to see any updates.
If there is a delay in processing your return, you should only contact the IRS if the question Where’s my refund? tells you to do so or if 21 days have passed since you electronically filed your tax return. The agency will contact you via email if it needs more information.
This year, where is my refund? has unveiled new and more detailed status messages, which will help give taxpayers a more up-to-date view of where their money is in the refund process. With it, the IRS hopes fewer taxpayers will need to call help lines for such updates, in hopes of freeing up help resources for others.
IRS2Go application
The IRS offers a mobile app that lets you track your refund status, make payments and more.
The IRS2Go app can also help you find free tax preparation help online. If you prefer to get help in person, you can use the app to find a VITA or TCE site near you. IRS2Go is available in English and Spanish. The app is available for Android and iOS.
IRS.gov
Like many other government agencies, the IRS has its own website where you can find information on a wide range of tax topics and initiatives. For example, determine whether you qualify for the child tax credit by using the Child Tax Credit Update Portal. If you own an electric vehicle, you can similarly check the website to see if your vehicle is eligible for the EV tax credit in the Clean Vehicle Tax Credits section.
You can also read about the earned income tax credit, or EITC, which helps low- and moderate-income workers and families get a tax break. The website offers a short questionnaire you can fill out to determine your eligibility.
In addition to the educational resources mentioned here, you can also use the IRS site to file your federal taxes or make corrections to any tax forms you may have already submitted. Many of the programs and assistance options (ITA, Where’s my refund?, etc.) described in the previous sections can also be found on the site.
IRS telephone assistance
The IRS provides several phone numbers you can call for assistance on a variety of tax-related topics. You can speak to a live representative 24/7, order tax forms for current and prior tax years, or listen to over 100 pre-recorded messages.
Here are a handful of IRS phone numbers for various needs:
If you have used these IRS phone numbers to ask for help in previous years and the wait times have aggravated you, know that things are different now. Thanks to the recent increase in funding, the IRS was able to reduce wait times in 2023 to four minutes from 27 minutes in 2022. This year, expect similarly fast wait times for callers.
Additionally, the agency extended work hours during the work week and implemented Saturday work hours at nearly 250 of its taxpayer assistance centers. You can find your local center here and make an appointment by calling 844-545-5640.
If your problem is minor archiving your taxes and more with paying you also have options on them. Check out our guide to the best tax relief companies to find professionals who can help you negotiate your tax debt payment options with the IRS.
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2024 Tax Changes: What’s New for Filing Taxes with the IRS This Year?
Here are the federal income tax brackets for this year