Free tax prep for seniors

If you are 60 or older, two volunteer programs exist mainly for you: Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) and AARP Foundation Tax-Aide. Both are free if you qualify, and you do not need to be an AARP member.

Your free options

TCE: free help particularly for people 60 and older, with volunteers trained on pensions and retirement income.
AARP Foundation Tax-Aide: free tax help for people who qualify, with a special focus on taxpayers over 50 with low to moderate income; you do not need to be an AARP member. Appointments from early February to mid-April at over 3,600 locations in all 50 states. The AARP Foundation runs most TCE sites.
VITA: free preparation if you make about $70,244 or less.
IRS Free File: free software if your AGI is $89,000 or less (tax year 2025). Some partners set age limits, so check before you sign up.

How to book

Use the AARP Tax-Aide locator or call 888-227-7669 (January to April).
Or use the IRS VITA/TCE locator, or call 800-906-9887.
Book early. Sites are busiest in March and April.
Bring your SSA-1099, any 1099-R forms, photo ID, and last year's return. See the full checklist.

Beware of scams. Volunteer programs never charge a fee and never ask you to sign over your refund. If someone calls claiming to be the IRS and demands payment by gift card or wire, hang up.

Common questions

Where can seniors get free tax help?

Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) focuses on people 60 and older. AARP Foundation Tax-Aide focuses on people over 50 with low to moderate income and runs most TCE sites. VITA sites also help seniors who meet their income guideline.

Do I need to be an AARP member for Tax-Aide?

No. Tax-Aide is free and open to non-members.

Is there an income limit for free senior tax help?

The IRS does not publish an income limit for TCE. AARP Tax-Aide focuses on low to moderate income. VITA generally serves people who make about $70,244 or less.

What if I cannot get to a site?

Some sites offer drop-off service or help you file online with a volunteer. Ask when you call. IRS Free File and MyFreeTaxes let you file from home if you qualify.

Need more than a volunteer can do?

If your return has rental property, a business loss, or several years of unfiled returns, our partner Pack Tax can help by phone and video in every state. It is paid help.

This is paid help, not a free program. You can ask questions before you agree to anything.

Ask Pack Tax for help

Pack Tax is our paid partner; we may receive a fee for referrals. How this works

Sources

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.