Montgomery County, Maryland, offers several free tax preparation assistance programs designed to help residents with household incomes below specified thresholds file their federal and state tax returns at no cost. These initiatives, primarily operated through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program and AARP Foundation Tax-Aide, rely on IRS-certified volunteers to provide accurate filing services. The programs target low-to-moderate income taxpayers, with specific attention to seniors and individuals requiring language support. Services are available by appointment at various physical locations and virtual settings during the tax season, which typically runs from late January through mid-April.
Overview of Available Programs
The primary free tax assistance programs in Montgomery County are the Community Action Agency’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program and the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program. Both programs offer free tax preparation and filing for federal and state returns, including amendments for previous years. Volunteers are trained and IRS-certified to ensure compliance with current tax laws.
Community Action Agency VITA Program
The Community Action Agency VITA program provides free tax assistance to Montgomery County residents with a combined household income of $69,000 or less (as of the 2026 tax season schedule). The program serves all eligible residents, including those filing with Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITIN). Residents needing help obtaining an ITIN can receive assistance on specific days.
Appointments for the 2026 tax season are available from January 20 through April 9, 2026. The schedule includes: - Mondays, 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Casey Community Center, 810 S Frederick Ave, Gaithersburg. - Tuesdays, 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at TESS Community Action Center, 8703 Flower Ave, Silver Spring. - Tuesdays, 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Community Action Agency, 1401 Rockville Pike, Suite 320, Rockville. - Wednesdays, 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Community Action Agency, 1401 Rockville Pike, Suite 320, Rockville. - Thursdays, 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at WorkSource Montgomery, 11510 Georgia Avenue, 3rd Floor, Wheaton. - Thursdays, 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Community Action Agency, 1401 Rockville Pike, Suite 320, Rockville. - Fridays, 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. via virtual appointments.
For the 2023 tax season, the VITA program operated from January 22 through April 11, with appointments available at four locations: - Mondays, 2:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Casey Community Center, 810 South Frederick Avenue, Gaithersburg. - Tuesdays, 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at TESS Community Action Center, 8730 Flower Avenue, Silver Spring. - Tuesdays, 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Community Action Agency, 1401 Rockville Pike, Rockville. - Wednesdays, 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Community Action Agency, 1401 Rockville Pike, Rockville. - Fridays, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at WorkSource Montgomery, 11510 Georgia Avenue, Wheaton (virtual appointments only).
The program also assists with amended returns for tax years 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021. To schedule an appointment, residents can call 240-777-1123 or visit the CASHBACK website. The website provides information on other free tax sites, tax credits, and financial resources. If appointments at primary locations are full, residents may call 311 for referrals to other VITA Partnership programs, including walk-in sites. Information is available in English, Spanish, French, Amharic, Chinese, and Korean.
AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Program
The AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program is the nation’s largest volunteer-run free tax preparation service. In Montgomery County, it offers in-person assistance from February 1 through April 15. Volunteers are trained and IRS-certified annually to handle the latest tax code changes.
The program targets low-to-moderate income taxpayers, with special attention to seniors aged 60 and older. In 2019, AARP Tax-Aide volunteers in Maryland helped more than 40,210 residents claim $27,520,582 in federal refunds and $2,751,085 in state refunds across 127 sites, including senior centers and libraries. Nationally, taxpayers using the service in 2019 received $1.6 billion in income tax refunds and over $200 million in Earned Income Tax Credits (EITCs).
Appointments can be self-scheduled at www.taxaidemc.info or by calling 240-777-2577 (Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) starting January 31, 2023. Book by March 3 to guarantee availability. Transportation questions can be directed to 311 within Montgomery County.
Eligibility Requirements
Eligibility for these programs is based primarily on household income and residency.
Income Thresholds
- VITA Program: Combined household income of $69,000 or less (for 2026 season) or $64,000 or less (for earlier seasons).
- AARP Tax-Aide: Low-to-moderate income taxpayers, with priority for seniors age 60+.
Required Documentation
Both programs require specific documents to prepare returns: - Social Security cards for the taxpayer and all individuals listed on the return. - Photo identification. - Federal and state tax returns for the most recent years (e.g., 2020 and 2021 for the 2022 filing season; returns for 2019, 2020, and 2021 may be amended). - For VITA, ITINs are accepted for those without Social Security Numbers.
Additional Eligibility Notes
- VITA serves all residents, including ITIN filers.
- AARP Tax-Aide focuses on seniors but is open to all eligible low-to-moderate income taxpayers.
- Services are available for federal and state returns, as well as amended returns for specific years (e.g., 2018-2021 for VITA).
Appointment Scheduling and Locations
Scheduling is required for both programs, with no walk-in services mentioned in the primary sources.
Scheduling Methods
- VITA: Call 240-777-1123 or visit the CASHBACK website. For ITIN help, contact on Wednesdays from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
- AARP Tax-Aide: Self-schedule at www.taxaidemc.info or call 240-777-2577 (9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday-Friday).
Physical Locations
VITA sites include: - Casey Community Center, Gaithersburg. - TESS Community Action Center, Silver Spring. - Community Action Agency, Rockville. - WorkSource Montgomery, Wheaton (virtual only for some sessions).
AARP sites are not specified by address in the provided data but are located at senior centers, libraries, and other convenient locations across Montgomery County.
Virtual appointments are available for VITA on Fridays and potentially for AARP, though not explicitly stated.
Language and Accommodation Support
The VITA program offers information and assistance in English, Spanish, French, Amharic, Chinese, and Korean. Accommodations for disabilities can be requested by calling 240-777-1123 or emailing [email protected].
Tax Years Covered and Refund Information
Years Covered
- VITA: Prepares current year returns and amends returns for 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021 (as of the 2023 season). For the 2026 season, it prepares 2025 returns and may amend prior years.
- AARP: Handles current year returns and amendments, with specific years not detailed but generally including the most recent three years.
Refund Inquiries
For questions about federal refunds, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 or visit their website. For Maryland state refunds, contact the Online Services website or call 1-800-218-8160.
Other Resources and Community Context
The CASHBACK website provides additional free tax sites, tax credits, and financial resources. Library resources, such as books on tax filing (e.g., "How to pay zero taxes" by Jeff A. Schnepper), are available through MCPL for those seeking self-study options.
While not directly related to tax freebies, community advocacy efforts in Montgomery County, such as those by the Sierra Club and other groups, highlight broader support services for low-income families, including early care and education programs like Head Start. These initiatives underscore the county’s commitment to financial and social support for residents.
Conclusion
Montgomery County’s free tax preparation programs, VITA and AARP Foundation Tax-Aide, provide essential services to residents with household incomes up to $69,000. By offering IRS-certified assistance at no cost, these programs help eligible individuals and families maximize refunds and credits while ensuring accurate filing. Residents should schedule appointments early, prepare required documentation, and utilize available resources like the CASHBACK website for comprehensive support.