Who Qualifies for Free Help and What to Do If You Don’t Qualify

There are several different programs that offer taxpayers access to free help from tax attorneys or other tax professionals. These programs can be a lifesaver for many taxpayers, but unfortunately, if your income is not below a certain level or you’re not over a certain age, you generally don’t qualify for free help.

There are also other limitations to free help, such as restrictions around the level of tax debt and the type of tax problem. To help you out, this guide covers everything you need to know about finding and accessing free help.

Key takeaways – options for tax assistance

  • Low-Income Taxpayer Clinics – Help with tax issues including collections, appeals, and legal disputes if your income is below 250% of the poverty line and the dispute is worth under $50,000.
  • Taxpayer Advocate Service – Help with all IRS disputes if you’re facing economic threats or are unable to get a response in the usual time frame.
  • Volunteer Income Tax Assistance – Help filing tax returns if your income is below $67,000.
  • Tax Counseling for the Elderly – Help filing tax returns if you are over age 60.
  • State pro bono programs – A variety of services, varies from state to state.
  • If you don’t qualify for free help – Contact Seattle Legal Services or another experienced tax attorney for guidance.

Organizations That Offer Free Help

The following organizations offer free help to qualifying taxpayers in certain situations.

Low-Income Taxpayer Clinics (LITCs)

LITCs are located around the country and offer free help for tax debts, collections, appeals, and legal disputes with the IRS. LITCs have employees and volunteers who are tax attorneys and other types of tax professionals. To qualify for help from an LITC, you must meet the following criteria:

  • Income under 250% of the poverty line based on your household size.
  • Tax dispute of $50,000 or less – although, there are some exceptions.

To find a LITC, scroll to the bottom of this page and enter your location in the LITC finder.

Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS)

The TAS is an independent organization in the IRS that helps taxpayers resolve problems. These agencies also make recommendations to the IRS to improve tax and collection processes based on the needs of taxpayers.

There are no income or tax debt restrictions on working with the TAS, but you can only ask for help in the following situations:

  • Your tax problem is causing financial difficulty for you, your family, or your business.
  • You’re facing an immediate threat of adverse action – for instance, a levy on your assets.
  • You have not received a response from the IRS within the usual time frame.

To request help, file Form 911. You cannot get from the TAS until you’ve exhausted the IRS administrative processes – in other words, if you haven’t already requested assistance using the IRS’s usual processes, you cannot get help from the TAS.

Unfortunately, the TAS does not offer help with tax return prep, appealing legal or tax determinations, or reviewing Appeals or Tax Court decisions.

Use the TAS finder to find a location near you.

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)

Operated by IRS partners and staffed by volunteers, VITA offers free tax prep help, but it does not offer assistance with tax disputes or collections. To qualify, taxpayers who meet one of the following criteria:

  • Income of $67,000 or less as of 2025 – this number increases annually.
  • Disabled.
  • Limited English speaking skills.

VITA services are often available in local libraries or college campuses. To find help near you, check out the VITA locator on the IRS website.

Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE)

TCE is often available at the same locations as VITA clinics, but to qualify for free help, you only need to be over the age of 60 years. This program is designed to help seniors file tax returns, but it has some limited services that are available through the rest of the year.

Most TCE clinics are operated by the AARP Foundation’s Tax Aide program. To find a location, use the AARP’s search tool.

State-Specific Pro Bono Tax Programs

There are also state-specific organizations that provide information and help finding assistance. In many states including Washington State, you can dial 211 to connect with the United Way to find a variety of services including tax help for low-income taxpayers.

To find state-specific resources, search for help in your state or check out Washington 211 for resources in Washington State.

When Free Help Isn’t an Option: What to Do Next

You may not qualify for free help if you earn over a certain amount or if your concern doesn’t meet strict guidelines. In other cases, your tax problem may be outside of the scope of the organization’s abilities – for example, a free organization may be able to help with straightforward concerns, but if you’re dealing with a complex tax issue, you may need to turn to a more seasoned tax attorney.

If you don’t qualify for free help, then, you may need to consider hiring a tax resolution attorney. Although tax attorneys cost money to hire, they often provide a level of value that far exceeds the cost of their services. An attorney can help with the following:

When looking for tax attorneys, make sure you find someone who has experience with your specific concern. Unfortunately, you may not find the experience you need at many free tax clinics.

If Free Help Isn’t Available, Reach Out to Seattle Legal Services

Pro bono or volunteer tax attorneys can be critical for taxpayers who cannot afford an attorney, but if you don’t qualify for free help or if the free services are inadequate for your needs, you need to reach out to an attorney to set up a free consultation and talk about their services.

At Seattle Legal Services, we focus on helping individual and business taxpayers deal with a wide range of tax concerns from unfiled returns, to unpaid taxes, to disputes, and more. Don’t hesitate to contact us – your peace of mind is worth it.