By Gregg Semanick, IRS NJ Spokesperson
Taxpayers looking for free basic income tax preparation assistance may qualify for IRS sponsored community-based, volunteer tax return preparation programs.
The IRS offers this information about these volunteer programs.
The IRS sponsors both the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs.
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.
The Tax Counseling for the Elderly Program offers free tax help to taxpayers who are 60 and older.
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.
As part of the TCE program, AARP offers the Tax-Aide free tax preparation program nationwide during the filing season. Trained and certified AARP Tax-Aide volunteers provide assistance to low-to-moderate people, with special attention paid to those 60 and older.
Local VITA site information is available 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.

