This is archived information that pertains only to the 1996 Tax Year If you are looking for information for the current tax year, go to the Tax Prep Help Area . The IRS sponsors volunteer assistance programs and offers help to taxpayers in many of its offices and other community locations. The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program, which we call VITA, involves IRS-trained volunteers providing free tax assistance at community locations to individuals who need assistance with basic income tax return preparation. VITA is aimed at those for whom paid assistance may be out of reach, those who are non-English speaking, persons with disabilities, those with a low to moderate income, the elderly, and other individuals with special needs. Another program, Tax Counseling for the Elderly, or TCE, is designed primarily for persons 60 years or older, particularly those who are confined to their residences or retirement communities.
Volunteers travel to taxpayers' homes, if they are unable to come to a local TCE site.
Please use the local number only if it is not a long distance call for you. When calling this number, you may ask questions to help you prepare your return, or ask about a notice you may have received. Also, in certain areas, IRS has local offices you may visit to receive assistance. The Community Outreach Tax Education Program offers free tax seminars to groups of people having common tax interests. IRS employees or trained volunteers conduct tax information seminars at convenient times and places in the community.