Free tax preparation for seniors and fixed-income residents in Wake County and Cary

Tax filing can be stressful if you are on a fixed income and do not want to pay a preparer several hundred dollars. The good news is the IRS sponsors free volunteer programs that handle basic federal and state returns for many seniors and lower-income households.

This guide explains the main programs available, how to find a location near Cary or elsewhere in Wake County, what paperwork to bring, and what these services typically can and cannot handle.

Quick answer

IRS-sponsored VITA and TCE programs provide free basic tax preparation through trained, IRS-certified volunteers at community sites like libraries, senior centers, and nonprofit locations. The main options for Triangle seniors are:

• VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) - generally for households earning $69,000 or less, people with disabilities, or those with limited English proficiency.
• TCE (Tax Counseling for the Elderly) - focused on taxpayers age 60 and older, with emphasis on retirement and pension questions.
• AARP Foundation Tax-Aide - a TCE partner that serves people over 50 with low to moderate income.

These are free services. Volunteers prepare your return at no charge. To find the closest site, use the IRS VITA/TCE locator tool or call 800-906-9887 with your ZIP code. AARP Tax-Aide runs its own separate locator during tax season.

You can also learn about our other guides on senior topics at the Local Resources hub.

The main programs explained

VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance)

VITA sites are staffed by volunteers who are certified by the IRS each year. They handle common tax situations like W-2 wages, Social Security income, pensions, interest, and dividends. As of the most recent IRS guidance, VITA generally covers household income of $69,000 or less, people with disabilities, and taxpayers with limited English proficiency.

These volunteers go through IRS training and pass a certification test each tax season. That is not the same thing as a licensed CPA or enrolled agent, but it does mean they have demonstrated proficiency with the forms and rules they handle.

TCE (Tax Counseling for the Elderly)

The TCE program is specifically aimed at taxpayers age 60 and older, with a focus on retirement income questions. That means pensions, annuities, Social Security taxation, and Required Minimum Distributions are part of their training area.

The program is operated by IRS grant recipients. AARP Foundation Tax-Aide is the largest TCE-partnering organization.

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide

AARP Tax-Aide provides free tax help at locations around the country, including sites in the Triangle. It is open to people over 50 with low to moderate income, and volunteers are IRS-certified each year. The program typically runs from early February through mid-April.

AARP emphasizes returns that involve Social Security income, pensions, interest, and other common senior tax topics. The Tax-Aide locator at aarp.org goes live each tax season and closes after the season ends, so you will not find current listings in June or July.

How to find a location near you in the Triangle

Here is a process to start with:

1. Use the IRS VITA/TCE locator. Go to freetaxassistance.for.irs.gov or call 800-906-9887 and give your ZIP code. Search results will show nearby sites, the type of service offered, and basic hours or contact info. A search from a Cary ZIP code will usually surface sites in Raleigh and other parts of Wake County.
2. Check the AARP Tax-Aide locator when open. Visit aarp.org/money/taxes/aarp-taxaide/locations starting around each January. This search tool uses your ZIP code or city name and lists AARP-participating locations. As of early June 2026, the locator is closed for this year's season and will reopen for the 2027 filing season.
3. Call NC211 or visit nc211.org. This free referral service connects North Carolina residents with local help in several categories, including tax preparation. Dial 2-1-1 from a local phone and ask specifically about free tax assistance for seniors.
4. Contact local senior centers or libraries. The Town of Cary Senior Center and Wake County libraries may be able to point you toward nearby tax assistance sites, even if they are not hosting one themselves. It is worth a phone call, since partnerships change from year to year.

Some Triangle-area examples that have served Wake County residents in recent filing seasons:

• Raleigh Tax-Aide has offered in-person services at the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina in Raleigh, serving surrounding areas including Cary and Apex.
• El Centro Hispano has operated VITA sites in Raleigh and Carrboro, serving low-income and Spanish-speaking taxpayers.

These are examples, not current-year guarantees. Community partnerships and host locations can shift, which is why checking the official locator tools is more important than relying on any single list.

The North Carolina Department of Revenue also offers NC Free File for online self-preparation for qualifying adjusted gross income levels. That can be a good option if you are comfortable preparing your own return and want to avoid paying a fee. Details are on the NC Department of Revenue website at ncdor.gov.

Important note about services being seasonal

Most free tax preparation sites operate during tax season, roughly January through mid-April. You will not be able to schedule appointments in the summer or fall for the coming season. Here is what the timeline usually looks like:

• Late December to mid-January: Sites begin accepting appointments (some AARP and VITA sites start booking in early January).
• Early February to mid-April: Appointments are active.
• Mid-April on: Most sites close for the year. A few may stay open for extended or amended returns.

If you are reading this during the off-season, it is a good time to gather your documents and note down questions so you are ready when sites reopen.

What documents to gather before your appointment

Showing up prepared will help the appointment go smoothly. Bring everything on this list, and any items that are relevant to your specific situation. The appointment time goes faster when the volunteer has what they need.

Every site will want to see these items:

• Photo identification that has not expired, such as a driver's license or state ID.
• Social Security cards or ITINs for you, your spouse, and any dependents listed on the return.
• Income forms: W-2s from employers, SSA-1099 for Social Security benefits, 1099-R for pension or retirement account distributions, 1099-INT for interest, 1099-DIV for dividends, 1099-NEC or 1099-K for any self-employment or gig income, and any other income reporting forms.
• A copy of last year's federal and state returns if you have one. Prior-year numbers help the volunteer start your return and keep filing history consistent.
• Bank routing and account numbers for direct deposit of any refund.
• Records of estimated tax payments you made during the year, if any.

You should also bring documents for any deductions or credits you think you might be able to claim, such as property tax statements, charitable contribution receipts, mortgage interest statements (Form 1098), medical expense records, and education expense documents.

Call the specific site ahead of your visit and ask what they need. Some sites share their own checklists. Having documents ready before your appointment is one of the most useful things you can do.

What these programs can and cannot handle

Free tax preparation sites are a real help for many common situations, but they do have limits. Knowing those limits before you arrive makes for a less frustrating experience.

Common situations most sites can handle

• W-2 wages and salary income.
• Social Security benefits and pension distributions.
• Interest, dividends, and simple capital gains.
• The standard deduction and common credits such as the Earned Income Credit and senior credits.
• Straightforward itemized deductions, though sites may handle these differently.

Situations that may require more than a volunteer site

• Self-employment or freelance income with significant expenses or loss carryovers.
• Rental property income.
• Complicated investment sales, like stock option exercises or large capital gains carryovers.
• Complicated estate or trust income.
• Military income from combat zones or complex multi-state filing.

Not every VITA or Tax-Aide site handles forms like Schedule E (rental income) or Schedule C with losses. When you call to schedule, tell them exactly what types of income you have and ask if they can prepare that return. If they say no, they may still be able to refer you to a site that can or suggest when a paid preparer makes more sense.

It would be inaccurate to say free programs cover everything. They do cover most of what the typical retiree on Social Security, a pension, and a modest savings account needs. But calling ahead and asking about scope is worth the ten minutes.

Questions to ask the site before your visit

A short phone call before your appointment can save you an extra trip. Here are some questions worth asking:

• What forms and types of income do you prepare?
• Do I need an appointment, or do you accept walk-ins?
• How long does a typical appointment take?
• Do you prepare the North Carolina state return as well as the federal one?
• Is there anything specific I need to bring that is not on the standard list?
• What are your hours and are there any weeks you are closed?
• Is there a wait list? When is the best time to schedule?

These are simple questions, but the answers vary from site to site. One location might be open four days a week and handle state returns, while another is open two half-days and only does federal filings. When in doubt, ask before you go.

A note on if you miss the free filing window

If you cannot find a site or miss the April deadline, there are still some options worth knowing about. The IRS typically allows you to file an extension, and the North Carolina Department of Revenue usually mirrors that. Filing an extension gives you more time to file but does not extend time to pay if you owe.

Some VITA and AARP sites reopen briefly after the April deadline for amended or extended returns. NC Free File remains an option for self-preparation if you qualify for the income limits. Calling 211 or checking with a senior center can help you understand what resources remain open in the weeks after April.

When to consider a paid tax professional instead

There are situations where a licensed CPA, enrolled agent, or paid preparer is the better choice. A few examples:

• You own or operate a small business with detailed records.
• You have rental property income and expenses.
• You received a significant inheritance, sold property, or have a more complex estate situation.
• You want someone who can represent you in front of the IRS if there is a problem.
• You need year-round tax planning, not just return filing.

Wake County has many licensed tax professionals. You can verify credentials through the North Carolina State Board of CPA Examiners (for CPAs) or the IRS directory of federal tax return preparers. Paid preparers will charge a fee, but the trade-off is broader capability and ongoing availability.

The point of this guide is not to tell you which option to use. It is to lay out the free options that exist so you can make that decision with real information.

Distinguishing income tax preparation from property tax relief

This is a common source of confusion. The programs described above are for filing income tax returns with the IRS and North Carolina Department of Revenue. They are not the same thing as property tax assistance.

Wake County does operate property tax relief programs for eligible seniors and disabled homeowners, which have their own eligibility criteria and application process. If you are also looking for help with property taxes, the Wake County government website at wake.gov is a good place to start. That is a separate program with separate rules and timelines.

Your next step

If you are reading this before tax season begins, the most useful thing you can do is start gathering your documents now. Write down what types of income you received, find last year's return, and have Social Security numbers, bank information, and income forms ready. That way, when sites open in January or February, you can schedule an appointment and be fully prepared.

You can read our related guide to local senior resources and programs in Wake County and Cary , check the free legal aid and consumer protection guide if you have questions about who to trust with your personal information, or ask a question through our site if you want to think through your situation.

CaryFixedIncome.com is an educational resource, not a tax preparation service. If you have a question about your specific tax situation, a licensed professional who can review your numbers, forms, and records is the person to talk to.