About 19 million individuals requested an extension – until October 17, 2022 – for filing their 2021 taxes with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). If you’re among them, there is no need to hold off until mid-October to file. Filing sooner rather than later can help you avoid delays in processing your return.
Need assistance? There are several resources available at no charge to people with disabilities:
Free Tax Preparation Resources for People With Disabilities
- Volunteer Income Tax Association (VITA) Program — The IRS offers free assistance preparing tax returns to millions of people each year through its Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.
In place for more than 50 years, VITA is designed to help people who are unable to complete their tax returns due to a disability, as well as others, including individuals with low to moderate income (less than $58,000 a year), seniors, and taxpayers who speak limited English.
Find a VITA location near you, and keep in mind what you should bring with you if visiting one of these locations in person.
- Accessible Tax Notices, Forms, and Instructions — Individuals who rely on assistive technology, including screen reading and voice recognition software, can access tax forms and publications in a variety of accessible formats via the IRS website.
If you would like to receive your IRS tax notices in an alternative format, such as Braille, large print, or audio, complete Form 9000, which you can then include with your tax return. For assistance with IRS accessibility services, you can also call the designated IRS helpline at 833-690-0598.
- Free File Program — If your adjusted gross income is $73,000 or less, consider looking into the IRS’ Free File program, which has been around since 2003. Free File providers provide you with free tax prep software and do not charge you for online preparation or e-filing of your federal income tax return.
Even if your income is above the $73,000 threshold, you can still access Free File’s electronic IRS forms at no cost.
Learn more about Free File provider services on the IRS website.
- Support for Veterans With Disabilities — In addition to the VITA program, military veterans can freely access the Department of Defense’s MilTax software for preparing and e-filing federal tax returns as well as up to three state tax returns. Their family members and survivors may also be eligible.
Visit the Military OneSource website for more information.
