How to Get Assistance During the Filing Season

By snapme | February 27, 2025 |

Preparing and filing tax returns can cause anxiety and confusion, but resources are available to help you timely and accurately meet your filing requirements. Free filing and assistance are available through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs, Free File programs, Direct File, MilTax, and many private software companies. Taxpayers may also seek IRS assistance electronically using online accounts or in person at a Taxpayer Assistance Center (TAC). Each method of assistance, as discussed below, has different qualifications and features and taxpayers should be comfortable with their choice.

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Tax Counseling for the Elderly

You may qualify to obtain 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 $67,000 or less, persons with disabilities, and taxpayers with limited English proficiency. TCE sites offer free federal and state tax preparation assistance to taxpayers who are 60 years of age and older and often specialize in tax issues unique to seniors, such as pension and retirement-related issues. 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 here. Please check the specific location for the available dates and times and whether the site offers services in your preferred language.

Free File Program

The Free File program is a public-private partnership between the IRS and several trusted brand-name tax preparation and filing software industry companies who provide their online tax preparation and filing for free in English and Spanish. Taxpayers can file their 2024 federal returns using Free File. Taxpayers may also be able to use Free File 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 $84,000 or less. Learn more about Free File at IRS.gov/freefile. You can also watch a YouTube video, Here’s How to Use the Find Your Trusted Partner Tool.

If you don’t meet the income requirement for Free File, you can still use fillable forms and file electronically. There’s no guidance and only limited calculations, but you can still fill out the free electronic forms using IRS instructions. However, this option doesn’t include any state tax preparation.

Direct File

Direct File allows qualifying taxpayers to file simple tax returns, report certain types of income, claim certain credits, and take certain deductions, directly with the IRS using a smartphone, tablet, or computer. Available in English and Spanish, Direct File has no income limit and allows taxpayers in 25 states to receive step-by-step guidance and calculations as they add tax information. While using Direct File, taxpayers can connect with IRS customer service representatives through a live chat. To find out if you qualify, visit the IRS Direct File website.

MilTax

Military personnel who want to file free federal tax returns have several options, 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 a federal tax return and up to three state returns for free.

Private Company Software

Tax software companies also provide free options. You should read the eligibility requirements for the tax software company you choose and understand the software offerings to ensure a no-cost solution. Many of these companies automatically import your federal tax return information into a state return.

Taxpayer Assistance Centers

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 identity authentication for potential victims of tax-related identity theft. Learn more about TACs at Contact Your Local IRS Office. To locate a TAC and hours of service, visit IRS Local Office Locator.

Online Accounts

Consider signing up for an Online Account for Individuals and/or Business Tax Account 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 any time without having to call the IRS.

Using an Online Account for Individuals, you can:

Access tax records – view key data from your previously filed tax return, including your adjusted gross income; access transcripts of your account; view digital copies of certain notices from the IRS; and view your audit status (currently available for certain audits conducted by mail);
Make and view payments – make payments from your bank account or by debit/credit card; view five years of payment history, including estimated tax payments; schedule and cancel future payments; view pending and scheduled payments;
View or create payment plans – apply for a payment plan; view and revise existing payment plans;
View your balance – view amount owed, including a breakdown by tax year;
Check refund; and
Get an Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN).

The features vary by business structure and the user’s role within the business, but using a Business Tax Account, you can:

Make and view payments – make federal tax deposit payments; make balance due payments; view payment history;
Access tax records – view tax transcripts; view tax compliance report; view tax certificate for award use; view digital copies of certain notices from the IRS; and
Manage third-party authorizations.

Phone Assistance

For phone assistance, individuals can call 800-829-1040, and businesses can call 800-829-4933.

Resources

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