Tax issues are very common across the nation. Over half of Americans say the federal tax system makes them frustrated with all its complexities.
These complexities can quickly lead to tax problems, from missed deadlines to overdue payments and penalties. It’s hard for many taxpayers to find help they can actually afford when they’re in these situations. But it’s important to find reliable legal help so the matter is resolved quickly and properly.
The good news is that there are many low-cost or even free legal tax assistance options out there. You may just have to meet certain eligibility criteria. This guide walks through how to find free tax attorney help and explore your options when you need free or low-cost services.
The team at W Tax Group is here to help you with any tax problem. Our tax attorneys ensure your case is handled by an expert, whether you need assistance with tax preparation, an audit, tax penalties, IRS disputes, unpaid taxes, unfiled returns, and more. Contact our law office to learn more.
Key Takeaways
- Options – Low-income taxpayer clinics (LITCs), the Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS), Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA), Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE), and state-specific programs.
- Requirements – Strict eligibility requirements, issue-specific services, and high demand may cause long wait times and unavailable professionals.
- Alternatives – If you don’t qualify for free tax services, you can still find moderate-cost, high-value help through affordable tax resolution services from providers like W Tax Group.
What Free Tax Help Options Do You Have?
Everyone has to contend with tax requirements, no matter your location or level of income. When something is in your way of getting the help you need to resolve these matters, you have options for finding assistance that works with your budget.Â
Here are free tax assistance options to explore when you can’t afford to pay a lot of money to resolve your tax issue:
Low-Income Taxpayer Clinics (LITCs)
If you can’t afford to pay for tax help and you have a low income, your first step may be to find a low-income taxpayer clinic (LITC). LITCs are independent organizations that help you access tax solutions if your income is below a certain threshold, and services are provided pro bono.Â
They can represent you if you need help with disputes, court proceedings, appeals, or audits. LITCs will also educate you on your rights as a taxpayer and the tax laws you need to know related to your situation.
To qualify, you must meet income thresholds — typically an income that is equal to or under 250% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). In 2025, the FPL for a one-person household in the 48 contiguous states is $15,650, and for two it is $21,150. That means for the 48 contiguous states, the LITC income threshold is $39,125 for one person and $52,875 for two. The thresholds are usually higher for Alaska and Hawaii.
In addition, the amount being disputed in the issue at hand usually has to be under $50,000 to work with a LITC. Find your local LITC on the Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) website.
Taxpayer Advocate Service
This is another independent organization linked to the IRS that provides free help if you have a hardship and are going through a tax problem. Here are the three areas TAS helps with for free:
- Financial hardship cases: You’re dealing with or are about to face a hardship that impacts your ability to pay taxes.
- System issues with the IRS: An IRS process or system is the cause of your issue and your delay for resolution is at least 30 days.
- Fair and equitable treatment cases: Your issue has to do with equity or taxpayer rights.
TAS helps with issues specific to the IRS, so they can’t help you prepare your taxes, for instance.
TAS also provides a page where you can search for the notice you received from the IRS to find out more information about why you received it and what to do next. The site has many different resources you can browse through to better understand tax issues and laws.
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance
There’s also a program called Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) that provides free tax preparation services to some people. Here are reasons you may qualify for VITA:
- You have to have a low to moderate income, which typically means you earn $67,000 or less.
- You have a disability.
- You have limited English-speaking abilities.
The IRS manages VITA, but it’s staffed by volunteers who have chosen to give back to those who need tax help. These volunteers are IRS-certified and have passed tax law training that is in line with IRS standards.
Tax Counseling for the Elderly
Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) is another IRS-managed program that is completely free if you qualify, focused on tax preparation and tax questions. TCE is for people 60 and over and is specific to tax issues surrounding retirement and pensions.
Just like VITA, TCE programs are also staffed by volunteers who have been certified and trained on IRS standards and guidelines.
State-Specific Programs
In addition to these federal initiatives, your state may also offer free or low-cost programs to help you with tax issues. You may be able to find pro bono legal tax services through your state’s bar association. These programs are similar to others in that they provide free or low-cost services to the elderly, people with disabilities, those with a low income, or those facing financial hardship. You can conduct a search through IRS resources or the local legal aid services for your state to find out more.
What Are the Limitations of Free Tax Legal Help?
Completely free tax services may sound too good to be true. And sometimes, there are limitations, including:
- Strict eligibility requirements: Not all taxpayers will qualify for pro bono services to get tax help. For instance, if you don’t meet the income thresholds, you won’t qualify. Some programs also require a low balance for the taxes you owe, or you may have to be over a certain age. Always check program criteria to make sure you qualify.
- Focus on specific issues: Free services are typically only reserved for certain tax problems, such as IRS issues or tax preparation needs. It can be more challenging to find these services for comprehensive representation to cover everything you need.
- High demand: Some pro bono organizations and systems can be bogged down by demand, so you may have to contend with long wait times and unavailable attorneys and volunteers.
Free or low-cost legal tax help is not always the simplest to navigate or utilize. That’s why many taxpayers decide to work with an attorney who has straightforward, affordable pricing and comprehensive services.
What to Do If You Don’t Qualify for Free Help
So, what if you need free tax help but don’t qualify for one of the aforementioned programs? What if your income is too high or your tax situation is too specific? There will always be an answer to help you get through your issue. Consider affordable tax resolution services.
Even though they aren’t completely free, tax resolution services can be very low cost. Providers like the W Tax Group provide affordable tax solutions so you can get the assistance you need when you don’t qualify for free programs. These services also are more comprehensive than pro bono services, so you can get holistic tax help when you need it, whether help with preparation, audits, disputes, notices, penalties, or IRS negotiations.
Benefits of Professional Tax Help
Tax professionals are generally tax attorneys, CPAs, or enrolled agents. They can give you expert help that you know aligns with tax law and IRS standards. These professionals also provide representation for both IRS and state tax issues, and they will often be able to give your case more time and attention than a pro bono service.
Why W Tax Group Is Your Best Option
Free tax help is out there if you meet the eligibility requirements, like low income, financial hardship, age restrictions, or unpaid back taxes. But when you don’t qualify, you still have options with tax resolution professionals. Remember that whatever your issue is, there are always ways to get help.
Don’t let tax problems overwhelm you. Search for pro bono tax relief through the government’s resources. If you don’t qualify for those programs, schedule a consultation with W Tax Group to get the expert support you deserve, including a free consultation to assess your case.
Contact W Tax Group today to get started with expert tax assistance for any tax issue.
