Free Tax Return Prep

Places to Get Free Tax Prep Help

Many local free tax prep sites are sponsored by Community Tax Aid (CTA). For more information about CTA sites and services, visit their website.

 

Community Tax Aid (CTA)

Call: 202-830-1480

  • East River Family Strengthening Collaborative (3925 Minnesota Ave. NE) — Saturdays
  • MLK Library (901 G St., NW, 2d floor) — every day except Friday
  • Jubilee Jobs (2712 Ontario Rd. NW) — Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday

CTA at Edgewood 

Call: 202-838-7798

  • Edgewood Terrace (601 Edgewood St. NE Suite 10) — drop-off service, requires two visits

CTA at United Planning Organization

Call: 202-231-7903

  • Petey Green Center (2901 MLK Ave. SE) — Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday
    • Help available in English and Spanish

CTA at Howard University

Call: 202-838-7798 or email howarduniversityvita@gmail.com

  • Location provided when appointment is confirmed — Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday

CTA at Centro Nia

Call: 202-869-2999

  • Spanish services only
  • Centro Nia (1420 Columbia Rd. NW) — Saturday

Catholic Charities

Call 202-738-9957 or submit an online form

  • Catholic Charities (924 G St. NW) — Saturdays (English)
  • Spanish Catholic Center (1618 Monroe St NW) — Saturdays in March (Spanish)
  • Catholic Charities will do a DC return solely to obtain the Homeowners and Renters Property Tax Credit

University of the District of Columbia

Call: 771-201-0495

  • University of the District of Columbia (4200 Connecticut Ave. NW) — Saturdays
    • Help available in English and Spanish

Gallaudet University

Call: 240-250-2375

  • Gallaudet University (800 Florida Ave. NE)  — Monday-Friday
    • Help available in sign language, virtual interpreter services

Nigerian Center

Call: 202-330-0352

  • 1231 Marion Barry Ave. SE — Monday-Friday

George Washington University School of Business

Call: 202-994-9316 or email sstromsem@gwu.edu

  • 2201 G St. NW — Saturday and Sunday, 9:30am-4:30pm
    • No appointment required
    • Help available in English, Spanish, and Chinese

DC Credit Union

Call: 771-333-2038

  • 20 M St. SE — Tuesday and Wednesday
    • Help available in English and Spanish 

AARP Foundation Tax Aide

Provides assistance to anyone, free of charge, with a focus on taxpayers who are over 50 and have low to moderate income.

For exact addresses and more information, visit their website.

  • Anacostia Library, SE (Tu, We) (202) 656-1689
  • Armed Forces Retirement Home, NW (Tu) (202) 642-9037
  • Bellevue Library, SW (Sa) (202) 643-6407
  • Capitol View Library, SE (Mo, We, Sa) (202) 643-4845 
  • Chevy Chase Community Center, NW (Mo, We)
  • Emery Heights Community Center (Tu, Th): (202) 643-9263
  • Georgetown Library, NW (We, Fr): (202) 677-5057 (Eng. & Fr.)
  • Petworth Library, NW (Mo, Fr) (202) 656-1341
  • Shaw Library, NW (Sat) (202) 683-7397
  • Southwest Library, SW(Mo, We) (202) 656-0042
  • Turkey Thicket Recreation Center, NE (Tu, Th) (202) 643-9519
  • William O. Lockridge Bellevue Library, SW (Sa) (202) 643-4279
  • Woodridge Library, NE (Mo, We) (202) 643-4279 

What should I bring to my appointment?

  • Photo ID (for self and spouse if a joint return),
  • Social Security card or other documents confirming your Social Security Number or
    ITIN (for you and your dependents),
  • Income and tax documents (e.g., W2s, 1099s),
  • Tax correspondence received from the IRS or DC,
  • Prior year return if you have it, and
  • Bank account information to sign up for direct deposit of your refund

When you make your appointment, you will get a detailed list of anything else you need to bring with you.

 

Can’t find anyone to help? Want to do your own return?

The IRS offers an online “free file” option to persons whose adjusted gross income is $84,000 or less. To get started, go to IRS Free File website.