The IRS offers free assistance by computer, telephone, facsimile and in person.  The IRS can assist taxpayers with obtaining forms, publications, and answers to a wide range of tax questions. 

If you are a wage-earner, and have misplaced your W-2 Forms showing your income and income tax withholding, and you are unable to obtain duplicate copies from your employer, IRS can often provide you with that information after the annual matching programs are run.  Matching programs are run after filing season, and the information is usually available in late August of the year in which the tax return is due.

If you think your employer did not report your wages, contact IRS for assistance on how to file your tax returns.  If you can establish that your employer withheld taxes on your salary (normally by providing pay stubs), you will receive credit for your social security and income tax withholding even if IRS did not receive the withheld tax.  If your employer failed to withhold the taxes, you must still file your return.

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program and IRS e-file joined forces several years ago to bring electronic tax filing to VITA sites.  Since then, volunteers prepare tax returns on computers and ultimately transmit them electronically to the IRS.  It’s free of charge for individuals of low to moderate income.

Individuals and joint filers whose income exceeds VITA program criteria, as well as businesses (i.e. filing Schedules C and E) should seek professional assistance for return preparation.  The “Authorized IRS e-file Provider” database is a nationwide listing of all businesses that have been accepted to participate in the electronic filing (IRS e-file) program.

To find out more about the free tax services available, refer to Tax Topic 101 – Volunteer Tax Assistances, Toll-Free Telephone, Walk-in Assistance and Outreach Programs.