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Best Reviewed
Tax Preparation Services
- Best storefront tax preparation service H&R Block *Est. $190
- Free, in-person tax help IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance *Est. $0
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IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance
Free, in-person tax help
- Free
- Usually includes free e-file
- In-person rather than online assistance
- Must meet income restrictions
- Not available in all communities
- Not the best option for complex tax situations
For those who don't want to pay to have their taxes done but aren't comfortable doing them online, the VITA and TCE programs offer a good alternative. These Internal Revenue Service programs partner with local groups and organizations like AARP to provide in-person help to those whose income meets the qualifications for the earned income tax credit. Last year, they assisted with almost 3 million tax returns. The programs are staffed by trained volunteers and operate out of local libraries, schools, senior centers and shopping malls. The AARP's Tax-Aide program, a TCE partner for those 60 and over, has nearly 7,000 locations throughout the U.S.
Although reviews are hard to come by, we found information about VITA and TCE on the IRS and AARP websites. TaxGirl.com offers some insight on a controversy that ensnared VITA in 2009.
Our Sources
1. IRS.gov
This section of the IRS website has information about the VITA and TCE programs, and links to other sources. It also describes help available to special groups, such as military personnel and their families and people with disabilities.
Review: Free Tax Return Preparation for You by Volunteers, Editors of IRS.gov, Updated March 6, 2012
2. AARP.org
The AARP offers information about the Tax-Aide program, a TCE partner program. Taxpayers can search for a local Tax-Aide site, or get assistance by phone or online. The site includes comments from people who have volunteered for Tax-Aide as well as those who received services through the program.
Review: About AARP Foundation Tax-Aide, AARP Foundation, Updated March 2012
3. TaxGirl.com
Kelly Phillips Erb, who blogs as Taxgirl, responds to people who say VITA should be eliminated in the wake of the scandal involving VITA partner ACORN, whose volunteers were caught on video offering clients advice on how to file fraudulent tax returns. She says the vast majority of people seeking help from VITA aren't trying to cheat and that volunteers are often "first rate," adding that many are tax attorneys, accountants and tax preparers looking to give back to the community.
Review: Should the IRS Kill VITA Altogether?, Kelly Phillips Erb, Sept. 24, 2009
Tax Preparation Services Runners Up:
1 pick including: ConsumerAffairs.com, SmartMoney.com…
1 pick by top review sites.