Low-Income, Elderly Taxpayers Can Take Advantage of Free Tax Prep Services

Tax preparation can be very costly, and for those taxpayers on the lower end of the income scale and the elderly, the free tax preparation services provided by the IRS are valuable.

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program offers free tax help to those people who earn less than $42,000, while the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) Program offers free tax help to those age 60 and older. Both programs are aimed towards those taxpayers who are up to date with filing of all tax returns.

These programs are very beneficial to taxpayers who cannot afford to pay someone to do their tax returns because the volunteers in these programs are trained in tax law and help prepare basic tax returns for those in need. They can also help with special credits, such as Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), Child Tax Credit, and Credit for the Elderly.

According to the IRS, nearly 12,000 free tax preparation sites will be available nationwide throughout the tax season. Moreover, most of these sites will use free electronic filing.

Another benefit to those taxpayers who take advantage of electronic filing is that they will receive their refunds in half the time compared to those who file paper returns, and if they have the refunds direct deposited into their bank accounts, these taxpayers will get their refunds even faster.

Also, as part of the TCE Program, AARP is offering Tax-Aide counseling at nearly 8,000 sites nationwide. Trained and certified AARP Tax-Aide volunteer counselors will be on hand to help low-to-middle income taxpayers and those who are age 60 and older. To find the nearest AARP Tax-Aide site, call 1-888-227-7669 or visit the AARP website at www.aarp.org.

Taxpayers will need to bring the following items to the VITA-TCE sites:

* Photo identification
* Valid Social Security cards for the taxpayer, spouse and all dependents
* Birth dates for the taxpayer, spouse and all dependents on the tax return
* Current yearÕs tax package, if received
* Wage and earning statements, FormsW-2, W-2G, 1099-R, from all employers
* Interest and dividend statements from banks (Forms 1099)
* A copy of last yearÕs federal and state returns, if available
* Bank routing numbers and account numbers for direct deposit
* Other relevant information about income and expenses
* Total paid for day care and the day care provider's identifying number

One more thing, if filing electronically and Married Filing Jointly, both spouses will need to be present to sign the required forms.

The military has also partnered with the IRS to provide free tax assistance to military personnel and their families through the Armed Forces Tax Council (AFTC). Volunteers are trained to address tax issues specific to military personnel, such as combat zone benefits.

If it turns out that the taxpayers owe the IRS, payment can be made on April 15 by authorizing an electronic funds withdrawal (direct debit) from a checking or savings account, by paying with a credit card, or by check or money order made out to the United States Treasury using Form 1040-V, Payment Voucher.

For more information on these three programs, visit www.irs.gov.

Copyright ©2009 JK Harris and Company

Teresa Thomas is an Enrolled Agent for JK Harris and Company, the nation's largest tax representation firm helping taxpayers with their IRS tax problems.