Free Tax Help Programs

Are you eligible for the Earned Income Credit? Have questions about your 1099 or W-2? Have other questions about your tax return? If you have these or other tax questions and you cannot afford to hire someone to help, there are free tax assistance programs in Maryland to help you. Documents to bring with you. 

Internal Revenue Service
The IRS offers free assistance by computer, telephone, fax and in person. The IRS can assist taxpayers with obtaining forms, publications and answers to a wide range of tax questions. The IRS can also help find free tax preparation for those who qualify.

AARP Tax-Aide Program
Free help in tax preparation and free electronic filing for people age 60 & over available through a program administered by the AARP Foundation in cooperation with the IRS. There are 8,500 sites across the county -mostly in banks, malls and libraries. IRS-trained volunteers help low- and middle-income taxpayers, with special attention to persons aged 60 and over. (Some sites offer free electronic filing.) or call 888-227-7669. ( 888-AARPNOW) to locate a site near you.

Free Tax Help via E-mail - The AARP Tax-Aide Program can also help you on federal tax questions by e-mail. Your question will be reviewed and answered by IRS certified AARP Tax-Aide volunteers. Remember that you are responsible for your taxes and free help like this can guide you but they are not responsible for mistakes. You can type in your question on-line.

Once on the page look for "Don't see your question below? Ask you own federal tax question."

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)
VITA is a free IRS sponsored program set up to help low-income workers ($40,000 & below).  Sites are open from late January or early February through April 15. The sites are usually located in churches, libraries, shopping malls, community colleges, and other public places. Most operate on a first come, first served basis. The volunteers at the sites are trained by the IRS on how to fill out tax forms, and to answer questions.  To find a site near you, call the IRS information line at 1-800-TAX-1040.Some VITA sites offer electronic tax filing, so that your return can be received and processed quicker by the IRS.

Maryland Only Tax Help
Free Maryland income tax preparation assistance is available to Maryland tax payers, regardless of income, through a network of local state offices. Take your federal tax return and copies of your W-2 forms (if any).

Baltimore Cash Campaign
The Baltimore CASH campaign wants working families to get all the credit they deserve. The campaign promotes the Earned Income tax credit and provides quality tax assistance at no cost to families at 12 CASH locations in the city. To get more information on the campaign or to get involved as a volunteer or participating organization, please call 410-539-9099 or email info@baltimorecashcampaign.org

Source: Maryland State Law Library                              Last date review (no legal content):1/08/08 (PLL/M.A.J.)

About this website. The Maryland State Law Library, a court-related agency of the Maryland Judiciary, sponsors this site. The website was developed (1999-2007) as part of an access to justice initiative by the Maryland Legal Assistance Network (MLAN) in collaboration with a number of legal services providers serving low and moderate income Marylanders.  In the absence of file-specific attribution or copyright, the Maryland State Law Library may hold the copyright to parts of this website. You are free to copy the information for your own use or for other non-commercial purposes with the following language “Source: Maryland's People’s Law Library – www.peoples-law.org. © Maryland State Law Library, 2007.”

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