What are the VITA and TCE programs?

VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) and TCE (Tax Counseling for the Elderly) are two programs offered by the IRS that offer assistance with tax returns for specific individuals. 

VITA

The VITA program has been operational for over 50 years and offers free tax assistance to individuals earning $56,000 or less, individuals with disabilities and individuals who are not proficient in English. 

TCE

The TCE program specializes in providing tax assistance, pension assistance and retirement related support for individuals who are 60 years of age and older. 

Both programs are managed by the IRS and have their sites managed by IRS partners and volunteers. Many of the volunteers are individuals who are retired and work for non profit organizations that receive grants from the IRS. All volunteers and staff undergo tax law training to ensure reliability of their services. Furthermore, the IRS mandates a quality check review for every return before being filed. 

Although there are many VITA/ICE sites located across the country, many are temporarily closed due to the coronavirus pandemic. It is therefore best to verify whether your nearest site is still open by checking on the IRS website.