TCE: free tax help focused on people 60 and older
Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) is the sister program of VITA. Volunteers give free tax help, particularly for people 60 and older, with special training in pensions, Social Security and other retirement questions.
Check if you qualify (5 questions)Free if you qualify. Program rules checked October 2026. Sites open each year from about late January to mid-April.
Who qualifies
- You are 60 or older. TCE focuses on older taxpayers; the IRS does not publish a TCE income limit.
- Your return is basic: Social Security, pensions, IRA and 401(k) distributions, wages, interest and dividends.
- Most TCE sites are run by AARP Foundation Tax-Aide, so you will often book through AARP.
Who it is not for
- A business with a loss on Schedule C, depreciation, or a home office deduction.
- Most rental property returns.
- Returns that need a paid professional, such as complex estates or trusts.
How to get started
- Find a site with the IRS VITA/TCE locator or the AARP Tax-Aide locator.
- Book an appointment if the site asks for one. Many sites fill up in March and April.
- Bring the documents on the checklist below, including your SSA-1099 and any 1099-R forms.
- A certified volunteer prepares the return and a second volunteer reviews it before it is filed.
What to bring
- Photo ID for you and your spouse
- Social Security cards or ITIN letters for everyone on the return
- Birth dates for everyone on the return
- W-2, W-2G, 1099-R, 1099-MISC and other income forms
- Social Security benefit statement (SSA-1099)
- Interest and dividend statements (1099-INT, 1099-DIV)
- Last year's federal and state returns
- Bank routing and account numbers for direct deposit
- Child care provider name, address and tax ID
- Form 1095-A if you had Marketplace health insurance
- If married filing jointly: both spouses should come to sign
From the IRS checklist for free tax return preparation. Ask your site if it needs anything else.
Common questions
Is there an income limit for TCE?
The IRS describes TCE as free help particularly for people 60 and older and does not publish an income limit for it. Volunteers will tell you if your return is outside what they can prepare.
Do I have to be an AARP member?
No. Most TCE sites are run by AARP Foundation Tax-Aide, and you do not need to be an AARP member to use them.
Can TCE help with Social Security and pensions?
Yes. TCE volunteers are trained on pensions and retirement income, including Social Security benefits and IRA distributions.
If this program does not fit
Other free programs may still work for you:
VITA
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Income about $70,244 or less Free if you qualifyAARP Foundation Tax-Aide
Free volunteer tax help from AARP Foundation Over 50, low to moderate income Free if you qualifyIRS Free File
Free guided tax software from IRS partner companies AGI $89,000 or less (tax year 2025) Free federal return if you qualify; state may cost extraFree File Fillable Forms
Free IRS forms you fill in online, any income Any income, confident with forms Free (federal only)MilTax
Free tax software and help for the military community Service members, families, recent veterans Free if you qualifyMyFreeTaxes
United Way's free tax software and VITA help Income under $89,000 Free if you qualify, federal and statePrefer a paid pro?
If no free program fits, or you have an IRS notice or tax debt, our partner Pack Tax prepares returns and handles IRS problems for clients in every state by phone and video.
This is paid help, not a free program. You can ask questions before you agree to anything.
Ask Pack Tax for helpPack Tax is our paid partner; we may receive a fee for referrals. How this works
Sources
- IRS: Free tax return preparation for qualifying taxpayers
- AARP Foundation Tax-Aide
- IRS Publication 3676-B: services provided by VITA/TCE
- AARP Foundation Tax-Aide locations
- IRS: Checklist for free tax return preparation
Facts on this page were checked against these sources on October 8, 2026. Rules change each year; confirm with the official source before you file.