IRS Resources to Help Make Tax Season Easier
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) offers tax resources for specific types of taxpayers to make filing taxes easier. The IRS runs Volunteer Income Tax Service Assistance (VITA) Programs for low-income taxpayers. The IRS offers free filing for taxpayers who meet specific criteria. The IRS has Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) Programs that assists taxpayers who are at least 60 years of age.
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program offers income tax filing assistance for low income folks. The program is ran by the IRS. There are centers across the United States with volunteers trained to help you file your income tax return. Most of the volunteers are students but they are supervised by qualified individuals. Per the IRS Publication 3676:
VITA Volunteers can help you report:
· Wages, salaries (W-2)
· Interest Income (Form 1099-INT)
· Dividends (Form 1099-DIV)
· State Tax Refunds (1099-G)
· Unemployment Benefits (Form 1099-G)
· IRA Distributions (Form 1099-R)
· Pension Income (Forms 1099-R, RRB-1099, CSA-1099)
· Social Security Benefits (Form SSA-1099) (RRB-1099)
· Simple Capital Gain/Loss (Form 1099-B) limited
· Sale of Home (Form 1099-S) limited
· Self-employed Income (Form 1099-MISC) limited
· Gambling Winnings (Form W-2G)
· Cancellation of Debt (Form 1099-C) limited
· Health Savings Accounts (Form 1099-SA) limited
· Itemized Deductions limited
· Education Credits (Form 1098-T)
· Child Tax Credit
· Earned Income Credit
· Health Insurance Statements (Forms 1095-A, B or C)
· Prior Year and Amended Returns limited • Form 8615 (tax on certain children’s unearned income) limited
VITA will not prepare:
· Schedule C with loss, depreciation or business use of home
· Complicated Schedule D (capital gains and losses)
· Form SS-5 (request for Social Security Number)
· Form 8606 (non-deductible IRA)
· Form 8814 (child taxed at parent’s tax rate)
· Form SS-8 (determination of worker status for purposes of federal employment taxes and income tax withholding)
· Parts 4 & 5 of Form 8962 (Premium Tax Credits)
Learn more about VITA on the IRS Publication 3676
Locate a VITA Center in your area: https://irs.treasury.gov/freetaxprep/
IRS Free Filing Tool
The IRS partners with different companies that will allow you to file your own Federal Tax return for free if you make less than $73,000 a year.
Depending on the filer you choose, you may have to pay for any state returns separately.
Check out my Step by Step guide to help you find a free filer: https://dianastaxservice.com/taxblog/freefile
Tax Counseling For The Elderly (TCE)
The IRS offers free tax assistance to taxpayers who are over the age of 60. The IRS partners with different organizations to provide quality assistance to during tax season and during the year.
Find current sponsors in your area here: https://www.irs.gov/individuals/tax-counseling-for-the-elderly
