Shoutout to the old guy at my library who told me about free tax help

Last week I was complaining to a friend about how much I dread doing my taxes and this older gentleman next to me overheard. He told me about the VITA program where IRS certified volunteers help people with basic returns for free. I had no clue that was a thing despite working in accounting myself. He said he's been going for 8 years after his wife passed and it saved him over $200 in preparer fees. It really made me realize how many services are out there that we just don't know about. Has anyone else used one of these free help programs or found some other hidden community resource?

2 comments

2 Comments

charlie_allen1mo ago

Ngl I tried VITA once and the volunteer looked so confused I think I actually owed less than his calculator showed.

paige_ellis591mo ago

Heard a similar story from my coworker about her elderly neighbor. The guy got free tax help through AARP and was bragging about getting a bigger refund than his grandkid who paid a preparer. Makes you wonder what else we're all just missing out on.