IRS Free File
Guided, brand-name tax software at no cost for eligible incomes, plus free fillable forms for everyone else.
Visit IRS Free File →
A free, independent directory
You don't have to face this alone.
One envelope from the IRS can feel like it's the only thing in the room. There is a free, legitimate way through it — no matter what it says.
Before anything else
Do these three things first
Get your own paperwork in order before you contact anyone. It makes every conversation after this one faster.
01
Read the whole notice
Find the notice or letter number, the tax year in question, exactly what the IRS is asking for, and the response deadline. Keep every page together, in order.
02
Gather your records
Pull your most recent tax return, W-2s and 1099s, receipts, bank records, and any earlier IRS letters on the same issue. Send copies, never originals, unless the notice says otherwise.
03
Contact a professional or a free resource
Some situations call for a paid preparer or attorney. Many others can be handled for free. The next step will help you tell which.
Two quick questions
Tell us about your situation
Nothing you select here is collected or sent anywhere — it only runs in your browser.
Common notices, in plain language
Find your letter or notice number and see what it usually means.
Notice or issue
What it usually means
Useful starting point
CP2000
The IRS received income information that doesn't match your return. It's a proposed change — not a bill to ignore.
Audit by mail
The IRS wants you to mail or upload documents supporting an item on your return.
In-person audit
An examiner wants to meet or review records directly. Keep the appointment and get advice early.
Balance due
The IRS says you owe tax, penalties, or interest. Options exist even if you can't pay in full.
Business / payroll
Payroll, employment tax, and business-return issues usually fall outside free basic preparation.
The full directory
Every link here goes to a government agency, a court-recognized legal aid network, or a well-established nonprofit. Filter by category, or scan the whole list.
VITA & TCE sites
In-person, IRS-certified volunteers prepare qualifying returns for free — commonly for lower incomes, people with disabilities, limited English proficiency, and older adults.
Find a local site →Free File Fillable Forms
Electronic versions of paper IRS forms for people comfortable preparing their own return without guided software.
Use fillable forms →MilTax (military families)
Free tax prep and e-filing software for active-duty service members, eligible veterans, and their families, through Military OneSource.
Visit MilTax →Understanding your CP2000
The IRS's own plain-language explanation of the most common "your income doesn't match" notice.
Read the explainer →Low Income Taxpayer Clinics
Independent organizations, often tied to legal aid or law schools, that may represent eligible people in audits, appeals, and disputes.
Search for an LITC →Taxpayer Advocate Service
An independent organization inside the IRS. Its help is free and meant for hardship cases or problems normal channels haven't fixed.
Find a local TAS office →IRS payment plans
Short- and long-term installment agreements you can request directly with the IRS, often online, if you can't pay in full.
See payment options →Offer in Compromise
A way to settle tax debt for less than the full amount if paying in full would cause financial hardship. Use the pre-qualifier before you apply.
Check eligibility →LawHelp.org
A directory of civil legal aid by state — search it, then ask whether the organization runs a tax, consumer debt, or small-business clinic.
Search LawHelp →ABA Free Legal Answers
Ask a brief legal question online and get a response from a volunteer attorney in your state, free of charge.
Ask a question →IdentityTheft.gov
The FTC's step-by-step recovery plan if someone has used your identity — including to file a fraudulent tax return.
Start your report →IRS Identity Theft Central
What to do if you suspect tax-related identity theft, and how to get an Identity Protection PIN for future returns.
Visit Identity Theft Central →IRS small business & self-employed hub
Filing requirements, estimated taxes, and recordkeeping guidance built specifically for sole proprietors and gig workers.
Visit the hub →SCORE free mentoring
Free one-on-one mentoring from experienced business volunteers, backed by the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Find a mentor →Find your state tax agency
State notices and state balances due follow separate rules from the IRS. Search "[your state] department of revenue" to find your agency's own free-help programs.
Look up state agencies →No resources match that search — try a different word or clear the filter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will VITA help with an audit?
Usually not on its own. VITA sites mainly prepare qualifying basic returns; some can explain a notice, but audits, business, payroll, and complex self-employment matters are typically outside their scope. Ask the site before you go.
What should I bring to an appointment?
Every page of the notice, the related return, identification, and records that support the item in question. For a business matter, bring payroll reports and business records tied to the notice.
Can I wait to respond while I look for help?
No — put the response date on your calendar first. If you can't get an appointment before the deadline, use the phone number on the notice itself to ask what to do next.
Is this site affiliated with the IRS?
No. Free Tax Resources is an independent directory. Each organization listed here decides on its own whether it can help you, based on your income, location, and situation.
What is a CPA?
Certified Public Accountants, known as CPAs, are paid professionals that have specialized experience in accounting and tax, and are licensed by their state boards of accountancy to represent taxpayers before the IRS for certain matters.
What is an EA?
Enrolled Agents, known as EAs, have the privelege of representing taxpayers before the IRS. They take specialized examinations related to taxation and are authorized direclty by the IRS to represent taxpayers before them.
A quick, honest check
Free resource, or paid professional?
This isn't a directory — it's a gut check. Answer honestly and we'll tell you which direction usually makes sense for a situation like yours.
Answer both questions to see what we'd suggest.