Contact Us

Helpful Links and Resources  

The Tax Law Center does not assist individual clients or taxpayers. If you need help on a tax dispute or filing taxes, please consider the resources below. These resources are listed for your information only and the Tax Law Center does not have any formal connection with the listed clinics or programs.  

Help filing taxes: Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA), Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE), and GetYourRefund.org  

More people than ever before, including those with very low or no earnings, are eligible for the Child Tax Credit (CTC), Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), and other tax credits. Filing a federal tax return is the only way to claim these benefits. Even if you don’t normally file taxes, visit ChildTaxCredit.gov to see if you qualify for the CTC or the EITC, and to review your options for tax filing.  

The IRS-certified Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs offer free tax return preparation for those who earn less than about $58,000. TCE primarily serves seniors and VITA offers tax assistance to workers regardless of age.  

• See what services are provided by the VITA and TCE programs 

• Check out what to bring before going to your local VITA and TCE sites 

• Locate the nearest VITA or TCE site or call 800-906-9887. The TCE program offers free tax help, particularly for those 60 years of age and older and specializes in questions about pensions and retirement-related issues unique to seniors. 

• Learn more about the VITA or TCE programs.

Code for America, in partnership with VITA, also provides free online tax filing assistance to families earning less than about $66,000 per year. Visit GetYourRefund.org to file yourself or to work virtually with an IRS-certified VITA volunteer to prepare your federal tax return.  

Low Income Taxpayer Clinics (LITC)  

 For help with IRS tax audits, litigation in court, and other tax controversy solutions, the IRS has approved a list of clinics that provide free assistance to individual taxpayers with incomes below a certain level.  

• To check if your income level is eligible for the clinic, please visit the IRS's Low Income Taxpayer Clinic Income Eligibility Guidelines.

• Locate a local clinic providing free or low-cost assistance to taxpayers 

Volunteer Opportunities  

If you are an attorney, CPA, or enrolled agent interested in providing pro bono (free) representation to low-income tax filers who have legal disputes with federal, state, or local revenue agencies, please consider volunteering your time with an LITC.  

• The Center for Taxpayer Rights has recently launched LITC Connect, which connects LITCs that need expertise on specific issues or areas of law with qualified tax professionals. Visit LITC Connect to make a volunteer profile, so that you can be matched with an LITC that needs assistance.   
   
• Alternatively, you can locate a clinic near you that provides free or low-cost assistance to taxpayers and reach out to them directly about volunteer opportunities.    

Volunteers can also sign up to provide tax filing assistance to people with low incomes and senior citizens through VITA or TCE programs. By providing free and reliable tax preparation services, VITA and TCE volunteers play a crucial role in helping low-income filers claim the EITC, CTC, and other refundable credits that collectively lift millions of families out of poverty each year.   

No professional tax preparation experience is required, as you will be assigned to a sponsoring organization that will provide comprehensive training before you begin volunteering. However, VITA or TCE volunteer service can be particularly valuable to law students and those early in careers that involve tax practice or policy because of the strong training and opportunities to work directly with clients and gain a deeper understanding of federal and state revenue codes.  

For more information and next steps, please visit the VITA/TCE Volunteer and Partner Sign Up portal.