Free Tax Prep: VITA, TCE, and How to Get Your Refund Without Paying

What VITA and TCE are

Two free tax preparation programs sponsored by the IRS:

• VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) — for people earning $67,000/year or less, people with disabilities, and limited English speakers
• TCE (Tax Counseling for the Elderly) — for people age 60+, with focus on retirement and pension issues (run mostly by AARP Foundation Tax-Aide)

Both programs use IRS-certified volunteers who prepare your return for free, e-file it for you, and help you claim every credit you're entitled to. Together they prepare over 3 million returns each year.

Find a free tax prep site near you: Call the VITA/TCE locator at 1-800-906-9887 or AARP Tax-Aide at 1-888-227-7669. You can also use the VITA Locator Tool or AARP Tax-Aide locator. Most sites operate January through April.

Why this matters more than people realize

Many low- and moderate-income filers leave thousands of dollars on the table every year by:

1. Not filing because they think they don't have to (you might still get a refund)
2. Paying for tax prep when free help is available
3. Missing the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) — worth up to $7,830 for working families with 3+ kids in 2025
4. Missing the Child Tax Credit (CTC) — worth up to $2,000 per qualifying child
5. Not claiming education credits, the Saver's Credit, or other refundable credits

A VITA volunteer is trained to find these credits.

Who VITA serves

You qualify for VITA if any of these apply:

• Income $67,000/year or less
• Have a disability
• Limited English proficiency
• Native American
• Active military with rank E-5 and below
• A senior (then it's usually TCE/Tax-Aide)

VITA does not prepare:

• Schedule C with losses, depreciation, business inventory
• Complicated capital gains/losses
• Rental property income
• Schedule K-1 with active income
• Some self-employment with significant expenses

For those, you'll likely need a paid preparer.

What VITA does cover

• W-2 wages
• Tip income
• Interest and ordinary dividends
• Most retirement income (Social Security, pensions, IRA distributions)
• Most unemployment
• Self-employment income (limited — under $35,000 net, no inventory or losses)
• Earned Income Tax Credit
• Child Tax Credit and Credit for Other Dependents
• Education credits (American Opportunity, Lifetime Learning)
• Saver's Credit
• ACA Premium Tax Credit reconciliation

How to use VITA

1. Find a site using the locator tool. Many community centers, libraries, and churches host VITA sites Jan–April.
2. Make an appointment (or check if walk-ins are accepted).
3. Bring required documents:
   • Photo ID for you and your spouse (if filing jointly)
   • Social Security cards or ITIN letters for everyone on the return
   • All W-2s, 1099s, and other income documents
   • Last year's tax return (if available)
   • Proof of health insurance (1095-A from Marketplace, if applicable)
   • Childcare provider info (name, address, EIN/SSN, amount paid)
   • Bank account info for direct deposit
4. Spend ~60–90 minutes at the site. Volunteer prepares + e-files your return.
5. Refund typically arrives in 7–21 days via direct deposit.

Don't forget the Earned Income Tax Credit

The EITC is the largest tax benefit for working families. For tax year 2025:

| Children | Max EITC | Income limit (single) | Income limit (married) | |---|---|---|---| | 0 | $632 | $19,104 | $26,214 | | 1 | $4,213 | $50,434 | $57,554 | | 2 | $6,960 | $57,310 | $64,430 | | 3+ | $7,830 | $61,555 | $68,675 |

Even with no income tax owed, the EITC is fully refundable — meaning you get the credit as cash back.

Self-filing alternatives

If you prefer to file yourself, use IRS Direct File (free federal e-file in 25 states for tax year 2024) or IRS Free File at irs.gov/freefile — completely free if your AGI is $84,000 or less.

Avoid paid services like TurboTax for simple returns — they actively obscure their free option. Use IRS Free File or VITA instead.

A note from us

Every year, billions of dollars in EITC and CTC go unclaimed because eligible families don't file. A team members can find the nearest VITA site for you and tell you what documents to bring. Call (844) 572-3682 between January and April and we'll get you set up.