Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)
VITA volunteers can help you prepare your 1040 forms and any related forms that help you get the tax credits and deductions for which you are eligible. VITA volunteers provide free tax preparation services to individuals with incomes below $35,000. There are dozens of local VITA sites around the state. To get information on the site nearest you, visit the N.J. Treasury Web site. You can also call 1-800-TAX-1040 (1-800-829-1040) for information on VITA resources.
Tax-Aide
Tax-Aide is a program sponsored by the Association for the Advancement of Retired Persons (AARP). These tax preparation services are provided free of charge and are available to people of all ages with middle and low incomes, with a particular emphasis on serving individuals 60 or older. To find the Tax-Aide office nearest you, call 1-888-AARP-NOW or visit AARP’s Web site.
IRS Agents
If you have a specific question about how to fill out your tax forms, or about whether you might qualify for a particular credit or deduction, you can speak directly with a trained IRS agent. To speak with an IRS representative, call 1-800-829-4933 or 1-800-TAX-1040. If you are hearing impaired and have TTY equipment, you can call 1-800-829-4059.
Taxpayer Advocate
If you are experiencing problems with past income tax filings, the taxpayer advocate may be able to help you. The taxpayer advocate deals primarily with individuals experiencing delays in resolving tax problems or taxpayers who are faced with a special hardship. To reach the taxpayer advocate, call 973-921-4355.
Low-Income Tax Clinics
Low-income tax clinics represent individuals in legal disputes before the IRS involving audits, appeals, and collections. If you are currently having a problem with the IRS, and have not been able to resolve it on your own, these clinics may be able to help you. You must qualify financially to receive help from these programs.
- Legal Services of New Jersey represents low-income individuals in legal disputes with the IRS or with the NJ Division of Taxation. The clinic provides advice or representation to those individuals who need help with tax problems and controversies. The clinic also conducts outreach and community legal education on tax issues. All applicants for legal assistance will be screened for income and case merit. For information on the Tax Legal Assistance Project, call the LSNJ hotline at 1-888-LSNJ-LAW.
- The Federal Tax Clinic at Rutgers Law School in Newark represents low-income individuals in legal disputes with the IRS. The clinic does not handle issues involving state taxes or criminal matters. All applicants for legal assistance will be screened for income and case merit. To see whether you might be eligible for assistance from the tax clinic, call 973-353-1685.
- South Jersey Legal Services' LITC provides representation to migrant farmworkers and non-English-speaking individuals who have tax disputes and procedural problems with the IRS. They also conduct outreach and community legal education seminars on tax-related issues at farmworker labor camps, low-wage worker residential areas, and evening community education programs. For information on representation, call the clinic at 1-856-964-2010.
Additional Resources
This article is from the March 2005 issue of Looking Out for Your Legal Rights®. |
