Let’s face it, doing your income taxes is not as much fun as it sounds. But the good news is that you don’t have to feel all alone. There are plenty of places that will help you do your taxes–for free. Yes, there’s that word. Free. Now, to qualify, you generally have to earn $67,000 or less, be disabled, be age 50 or over, or need help with English to qualify. And, if you’re rich, hire someone.
Most of these free services end April 15, so chop chop. (But note that L.A. County residents have been given an exemption to file until Oct. 15, due to the wildfire disaster.)
Here are some places where you can get free help in 2025, but check the resources below, because there are lots more that we didn’t have room to list. Including walk-in help.
- myfreetaxes.org. There’s online and in-person help from the United Way at myfreetaxes.org. You can file your taxes yourself, get online help or set up an in-person appointment at this website.
- VITA. The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offers free tax help to people who need to file simple, basic tax returns. Generally, you need to earn somewhere around $67,000 or less to use these services, although if you’re disabled or have problems with English, you may also be eligible. ftb.ca.gov/help/free-tax-help/VITA_Locator
- Tax-Aide. AARP Foundation offers free tax assistance here called Tax-Aide. Find locations and make appointments here. taxaide.aarpfoundation.org
- AARP Foundation has free software and online live assistance to help you file your own taxes from home. For filers who earn less than $84,000 annually. Learn more at taxaide.aarpfoundation.org/online-self-and-assisted-prep
- OCTaxPrep.com is another source for free tax preparation locations.
Here’s a partial listing (note that you generally have to make an appointment by phone or online):
Anaheim: Senior Citizen Center, 250 E. Center St , Anaheim. 714-765-4510.
Arcadia: Community Center, 365 Campus Drive , Arcadia. 626-574-5130
Brea: Senior Center, 500 Sievers Ave., Brea. 714-990-7750
Canoga Park: NEW Economics for Women, 21400 Saticoy St., Canoga Park. 818-887-3872
Chino (Until April 10): Good Hands Foundation, 14726 Ramona Ave., Suite 415 , Chino. 909-334-4794
Costa Mesa: Senior Center, 695 W. 19th St., Costa Mesa. 714-327-7550
Covina: Public Library, 234 N. 2nd Ave., Covina. 626-384-5380
El Monte: DPSS, 3352 Aerojet Ave., El Monte. elmonte.youcanbook.me
Glendale: CSUN VITA clinic at Grandview Library, 1535 5th St., Glendale. csun.edu/bookstein-institute/csun-vita-clinic
Glendora: Citrus College, 1000 W. Foothill Blvd., Glendora. citruscollege.edu/VITA
Granada Hills: Taxpayers Help Center, 17048 1/2 Chatsworth St., Granada Hills. 818-363-3545
Huntington Beach: Senior Center In Central Park, 18041 Goldenwest St., Huntington Beach. 714-536-5600
La Verne: Community Center, 3680 D St. , La Verne. 909-596-8776
Lancaster: AIMLA LAKE LA AV, 16845 E. Ave M 8, Lancaster. 661-262-9517
Long Beach: Community Action Partnership, 117 West Victoria St., Long Beach. 562-216-4600
Murrieta: Senior Center, 41717 Juniper St., Murrieta. 951-461-6108
North Hollywood: CSUN VITA clinic at Grandview Library, 12311 Vanowen St., North Hollywood. csun.edu/bookstein-institute/csun-vita-clinic
Northridge: CSUN VITA Clinic18111 Nordhoff St., Bookstein Bldg., Northridge. 818-677-3600
Norwalk: St. Raphael Catholic Church, 12366 Rosecrans Ave., Norwalk. Only Saturday, March 22 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. straphael.youcanbook.me
Pasadena (Until April 10): Villa Parke Community Center 363 E. Villa St , Pasadena, 626-744-6530
Rancho Cucamonga: High School, 11801 Lark Drive, Rancho Cucamonga. 909-518-8851
Redlands: Community Senior Center, 111 W Lugonia Ave., Redlands. 909-798-7579
San Pedro: Toberman Neighborhood Center, 131 N Grand Ave., San Pedro. 310-832-1145
Seal Beach Community Center, 3131 N. Gate Road, Seal Beach. 562-431-2527
Temecula: Mary Phillips Senior Center, 41845 6th St., Temecula. Make appt. at 951-694-6464
Upland: Fridays 9 a.m.-1 p.m. (except closed March 14.) Walk-ins only. George M. Gibson Senior Center. 250 N. 3rd Ave., Upland. 909-981-4501.
Van Nuys: CSUN VITA clinic at YMCA Mid Valley, 6901 Lennox Ave., Van Nuys. 818-677-3600. csun.edu/bookstein-institute/csun-vita-clinic
Whittier (Until April 10): Uptown Senior Center, 13225 Walnut St., Whittier. 562-567-9470
And here’s a list of what to bring to your tax preparation appointment, courtesy of the wonderful folks at the Internal Revenue Service.