Tax Help for Seniors

Tax time can be stressful for many people, but none so much as senior citizens. Senior citizens have special tax questions that often can't be answered with boxed tax software or tax preparation websites. Social security income, pension checks, retirement benefits and spousal death can complicate taxes and can increase the chance of an incorrect return. Knowing where to turn for senior citizen tax help can make tax time easier and less stressful for both seniors and their families.

The biggest provider of senior citizen tax help is the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP). This year, the AARP is once again partnering with the Internal Revenue Service to provide Tax Aide, a free service that provides tax help for low and moderate income senior citizens. In addition to helping seniors file tax returns, the AARP can also help members with estate planning and can offer advice on reducing future tax liability. The AARP has chapters in every state and can help people over 50 find free and reduced cost tax help.

In addition to the AARP, many communities have area agencies designed to help seniors with all aspects of living, and that includes tax assistance. Many aging agencies offer tax help to seniors, and those that do not offer tax assistance programs on site often partner with local lawyers and accountants to offer one day tax clinics for seniors. The National Association of Area Agencies on Aging can help seniors find their nearest agency for tax assistance.

Local colleges with legal and accounting programs are also good places for senior citizens to find tax help. Law and accounting students will often volunteer to prepare tax returns for low income people in exchange for class credit. The American Association of Law Schools can put seniors in contact with law schools that provide free and reduced legal services for low income seniors.

Your local IRS office can also provide tax help if all other remedies have been exhausted. Many IRS offices have tax clinics for low and moderate income citizens. While agents can't actually prepare taxes for seniors, they can provide all necessary forms and can answer many common questions that seniors may have when self-preparing their returns.

Preparing tax returns can be complicated, but seniors don't have to handle it on their own. With some research, many senior citizens can find local tax help to make the tax season less stressful.