One of the very best sources for free tax help is the IRS itself. The various forms of help offered are listed and explained in detail at http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=133019,00.html. The IRS provides so many resources and so many different ways of getting help that there is really not much need to go anywhere else.

For example, the IRS website lists the following options and resources: articles, forms, calculators, and FAQs at its website www.irs.gov; free e-file for persons whose adjusted gross income is less than $54,000; a variety of 1-800 numbers that people can call and ask questions of a real person including a number to call for persons who are deaf and a number to call to order free forms from an automated phone menu; a list of IRS taxpayer assistance centers and local IRS offices along with the forms and types of assistance available for walk-ins; and a convenient way to order Braille tax forms for the blind at no charge; instructions for ordering IRS form 910 at no charge. Publication 910 is a Guide to Free IRS Tax Services.

Two volunteer organizations also provide free tax help. Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) is an organization that helps low or limited income persons with their tax returns at no charge. Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) is another volunteer organization that provides tax help for senior citizens. To find a VITA or TCE chapter in your community and schedule some help (or volunteer to help others) you can call toll-free 1-800-829-1040.

Taxpayers can also call the American Association of Retired Persons, the largest sponsor of these two programs, at 1-888-227-7669. The AARP website offers a comprehensive list of all their tax centers nationwide. You simply plug in your zip code to bring up your choices for assistance along with phone numbers and local addresses and dates. The AARP list can be found at https://locator.aarp.org/vmis/sites/tax_aide_locator.jsp/

Many post office and libraries stock free tax forms and booklets, especially in the spring in the months leading up to the April 15th filing deadline. Local newspapers routinely post dates for free tax help workshops and events in each community.

Many for-profit tax preparers and makers of tax preparation software also advertise free basic e-file for and free tax help, but take care when using these services. If you are asked to enter your bank account information or credit card number, it’s likely whatever you are doing there is not free, or at the very least is a ‘free trial’ that will be charged to your account or your credit card that you will have to take some kind of action to remove within a certain time period. Many people buy services on the internet this way without even realizing they have done so, and months can go by before they notice the charges on a bank or credit card statement.

Often local radio and television news programs solicit volunteers from the community (accountants and tax experts) to give free phone in or email advice on tax preparation, so check the webpage for your favorite news or radio station for dates and times. The truth is that so much free help is available it is almost criminal to charge people for the same services, yet every year thousands of tax preparation and advice sites do exactly this. Sadly, it is generally the people who would benefit the most from using the free help available to tend to be drawn to the paid help: people with low incomes and simple returns who are intimidated by the IRS and the idea of having to deal with the IRS alone.

The IRS has changed quite a bit in recent years. You can’t collect taxes as easily from people you are scaring to death, and the IRS has come to realize this is true. Even if you suspect you are badly behind on your taxes, you are almost always better off contacting the IRS as soon as possible than you are avoiding the issue. The IRS will set up a payment schedule for back taxes, and in some cases will even write off back taxes. It all depends on each individual situation.

Death and taxes are certain: that much is true. But unless you are Al Capone or Wesley Snipes you have no real reason to fear either one. Lots of free help is readily available (at least for taxes!)