Professional tax preparation services can cost hundreds of dollars. Fortunately, for older adults who don’t want to pay, or can’t afford to, other tax help is available.
Instead of shelling out cash for professional services, you can visit a local organization to receive free support.
Thanks to funding from the IRS Tax Counseling for the Elderly program, tax preparation and filing services are available for people over 60 who earn around $67,000 a year or less or who meet other qualifications that vary by the partnering agency.
Older adults will also receive guidance on senior-specific tax issues, such as pensions, Social Security and IRA distributions.
“The focus of the program is to assist seniors in preparing their tax return and electronically filing it so that it is accurate and so it helps the taxpayer take advantage of all the credits and deductions for which they qualify,” according to an IRS spokesperson.
Available tax services
When you visit a Tax Counseling for the Elderly site, you can see if you qualify for free tax counseling and have your basic federal and state tax returns prepared and e-filed. All services are provided by IRS-certified volunteers who are trained in tax law and prepared to answer questions about retirement and other topics.
The process varies by site, but it typically starts with an intake meeting to assess your situation and ensure you have the documents required for filing. You generally need to bring the following:
- Physical Social Security card or individual taxpayer identification number
- Physical government-issued photo ID
- Last year’s tax return
- All income and benefit statements
Where to get tax help
To find the location nearest you, visit irs.treasury.gov/freetaxprep.
Some places in Cook County that can offer help:
Ladder Up
Locations: Aurora, Chicago, Cicero, Melrose Park, Plainfield and Waukegan
Walk-in hours: Vary by location
Appointments: Not available
Contact: goladderup.org, 312-409-1555
Ladder Up has more than 900 volunteers who serve at 12 sites. Seniors can receive help at any site, but income requirements are tight: Only individuals making less than $35,000 a year and families earning less than $67,000 qualify for help.
Given this requirement, most people who qualify are living exclusively on Social Security. Should you still file if you fall into this group? Yes, according to Ladder Up Tax Clinic paralegal Susana Ramirez.
“Typically, our clients who are eligible for our service and only receive Social Security income don’t have a filing requirement. However, filing the tax return anyway is a great way to prevent tax-related identity theft,” Ramirez said.
Ladder Up only takes walk-ins, so she recommends arriving 30 minutes prior to a site opening to avoid wait times.
Triton College Foundation
Locations: Chicago and Leyden Township
Walk-in hours: Not available
Appointments: 9 a.m-3 p.m. (varies by location)
Contact: 708-456-0300, ext. 3895 for appointments, ext. 3835 for information
The RSVP program at Triton College has about 50 volunteers across nine sites. Its free tax assistance is available to seniors who earn up to $67,000 a year.
Income calculations are one of the most common issues that RSVP helps seniors with, said program director Mario Porras.
“Filers want to know how to calculate their annual earnings, which usually consist of Social Security income and pensions. They want to know what has to be included/claimed and if they are eligible for any tax breaks,” Porras said.
For answers to those questions and more, taxpayers can call RSVP and schedule an appointment. Phone lines are often busy due to high call volume, so you may have to call a few times.
Center of Concern
Location: Des Plaines
Walk-in hours: Mondays to Thursdays, 9 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.; Fridays, 9 a.m. – noon
Appointments: Evenings, Saturdays
Contact: CenterOfConcern.org, (847) 823-0453
The Center of Concern provides quick and convenient tax preparation services to seniors who earn $67,000 a year or less, have a disability or who speak limited English.
In 2024, the organization prepared more than 200 returns and helped filers secure more than $60,000 in refunds.
While you do have to visit Des Plaines to complete an in-person intake form, you can drop off your documents to have your return prepared remotely and e-filed. Once submitted, returns are usually completed within a week.
“The goal is to make the tax preparation process as stress-free as possible while providing accurate, reliable, and personalized support,” Center of Concern’s Executive Director Nicole Coomer said.
