Federal Tax Resources

Source: AARP.org | February 26, 2004

In addition to AARP Tax-Aide, the IRS sponsors volunteer assistance programs and offers help to taxpayers in many of its offices and other community locations.

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) involves IRS-trained volunteers who provide free tax assistance at community locations to individuals who need assistance with basic income tax return preparation. VITA is for those who cannot afford paid professional assistance, those who are non-English speakers, persons with disabilities, those with a low to fixed income, the elderly, and other individuals with special needs.

You can get free telephone assistance by calling 1-800-829-1040. When calling this number, you may ask questions to help you prepare your return, or ask about a notice you may have received. In certain areas, IRS has local offices you may visit to receive assistance.

Taxpayer Advocate Service

The Taxpayer Advocate Service is an IRS program that provides an independent system to assure that tax problems, which have not been resolved through normal channels, are promptly and fairly handled. Each state has at least one local Taxpayer Advocate, who is independent of the local IRS office and reports directly to the National Taxpayer Advocate. The goals of the Taxpayer Advocate Service are to protect individual and business taxpayer rights and to reduce taxpayer burden. The Taxpayer Advocate independently represents your interests and concerns within the IRS.

Additional Tax Resources

• Internal Revenue Service
• Your Federal Income Tax for Individuals
• Important Tax Law Changes for 2007
• Latest News from IRS
• Taxpayer Advocate Service - Help for Problem Situations
• Tax Relief for Victims of Terrorists Attacks
• Tax Facts for Seniors with a Change in Marital Status (PDF file)