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Preparing and filing tax returns can be stressful and confusing, especially if your financial situation has changed or you are filing for the first time. The good news is that free resources are available to help you timely and accurately meet your filing requirements. Taxpayers can receive assistance through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA), Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE), Free File, and MilTax programs. Taxpayers may also seek IRS assistance electronically using online accounts or the Interactive Tax Assistant (ITA), or in person at a Taxpayer Assistance Center (TAC). Each method of assistance, as discussed below, has different qualifications and features, and taxpayers should look at each one before deciding which is best for them.
The Free File program is a public-private partnership between the IRS and several trusted tax preparation and filing software industry companies that provide their online tax preparation and filing services for free in English and Spanish. Taxpayers can file their 2025 federal returns using Free File. Taxpayers may also be able to use some Free File products to file their state tax returns at no cost. Free File products automatically import your federal tax return information into a state return. To qualify for Free File, your adjusted gross income must be $89,000 or less. Learn more about Free File.
You may be eligible for free tax return preparation services through one of the IRS partners participating in the VITA or TCE programs. VITA sites offer free basic tax preparation services to individual taxpayers who generally make $69,000 or less, those with disabilities, and taxpayers with limited English proficiency. TCE sites offer free federal and state tax preparation assistance to taxpayers who are 60 and older and often specialize in tax issues unique to seniors, such as pension and retirement-related issues.
IRS-certified volunteers prepare returns at no cost and follow strict quality and confidentiality standards. For information on what you need to bring and how to get ready for your appointment, see IRS Publication 3676-B, IRS Certified Volunteers Providing Free Tax Preparation. You can find out more about these volunteer programs, determine your eligibility, and even find a VITA or TCE site. Please check your selected location for available dates and times and whether the site offers services in your preferred language.
Military personnel have access to file free federal tax preparation and filing services including MilTax and the Free File program. These programs offer online tax preparation, electronic filing, and direct deposit of refunds at no cost. The Department of Defense provides MilTax as a free tax resource for the military community. MilTax is a suite of tax services available for members of the military, as well as qualifying veterans and family members. There are no income limits.
MilTax is designed exclusively for the military community. The software was developed specifically to address the unique circumstances of military life that can affect taxes such as combat pay and dealing with multiple moves within the same tax year. Eligible taxpayers can use MilTax to complete and electronically file their federal tax return and up to three state returns for free.
TACs provide face-to-face taxpayer assistance throughout the country, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. At TACs, employees assist taxpayers with select services, including account inquiries, basic tax law assistance, acceptance of payments (please verify that your local TAC offers this option), and applying for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number. You will need an appointment, which you can make by calling 844-545-5640. Learn more about TACs at Contact Your Local IRS Office. To locate a TAC and hours of service, visit IRS Local Office Locator.
For phone assistance, individual taxpayers can call 800-829-1040, and business taxpayers can call 800-829-4933.
The ITA provides taxpayers answers to common tax questions, such as whether someone qualifies as a dependent, what is the proper filing status, whether a pension payment is taxable, and if they are eligible for the Child Tax Credit. To use the tool, taxpayers select a topic then provide information that allows the tool to generate responses based on the information provided.
Creating an online account for individuals and/or Business Tax Account can save time and reduce the need to call the IRS during filing season as you prepare to file your tax return. Filing season is the busiest season for the IRS, with calls to IRS service lines reaching the highest volumes of the year. With an online account, you may find the information you need 24/7 without having to call the IRS. For example, using online accounts, you can view tax records including certain information returns, make and view payments, and individuals can create payment plans.
It is a good practice for everyone to do a paycheck check-up every year. Checking your tax withholding amounts can ensure that you aren’t paying too much or too little in federal income tax. The Tax Withholding Estimator allows taxpayers to estimate federal income tax withholding; see how a refund, take-home pay, or tax due are affected by a withholding amount; and help choose an estimated withholding amount that works for you. Taxpayers can then use this information to adjust their Form W-4, Employee’s Withholding Certificate, with their employer.
No matter how you choose to file your tax return, you have rights under the Taxpayer Bill of Rights. These include the rights to be informed, to quality service, to pay no more than the correct amount of tax, and to challenge the position of the IRS and be heard. You also have the rights to privacy and to confidentiality, and to seek help from the Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) if you are experiencing financial hardship or are unable to resolve a tax issue through normal IRS channels. Understanding your rights can help you make informed decisions and advocate for yourself throughout the filing season.
Learn more about your taxpayer rights.
IRS publications and frequently asked questions (FAQs) may provide helpful guidance for changes made during the tax year. For instance, you may have had a child, enrolled in a college course, or retired and received Social Security benefits for the first time, and want to understand how these changes will factor into your tax obligations. See the Resources sections below for some helpful IRS and TAS links to information that may make filing your tax return a little less taxing.
The views expressed in this blog are solely those of the National Taxpayer Advocate. The National Taxpayer Advocate presents an independent taxpayer perspective that does not necessarily reflect the position of the IRS, the Treasury Department, or the Office of Management and Budget. NTA Blog posts are generally not updated after publication. Posts are accurate as of the original publication date.