Free Tax Help

State government

What: The state Department of Revenue offers free assistance at its 10 Taxpayer Service Centers across the state.

Where: Locations are in Ashland, Bowling Green, Corbin, Florence, Frankfort, Hopkinsville, Louisville, Owensboro, Paducah and Pikeville.

When: Help is available Tuesdays to Thursdays, but appointments are required and can be made by calling 1-800-906-9887 any weekday.

Who: Assistance is limited to people with annual incomes generally below $50,000.

Caveats: There are a number of forms the state will not assist with. Learn more: Revenue.ky.gov (click on "Hot Topics" on the left and then "Individual Income Taxpayer Assistance")

VOLUNTEER INCOME TAX ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

What: Community organizations throughout the state administer the program for free and have their volunteers trained by the IRS.

Where: There are nearly 100 VITA sites spread around the state with 13 in Lexington. For a list of locations, call (800) 456-3452 or visit Assistance.ky.gov/freetaxhelp.

When: Various times. Some VITA sites allow drop-ins, but most require appointments.

Caveats: There are income limits, so call first and see if you're eligible for assistance.

Central Kentucky Economic

Empowerment Project

What: CKEEP staffs the IRS-trained VITA sites in Lexington, as well as ones in other Central Kentucky counties.

Where: 22 locations this year, up from 16 in 2011.

When: Appointments are required. Dial 2-1-1 to schedule an appointment.

Caveats: There is a rough income limit of $50,000, and the organization's volunteers won't fill out certain forms, including those for farm income or members of the military.

Learn more: Dial 2-1-1.

AARP

What: AARP runs many free tax help sites for lower-income taxpayers with special attention paid to older people.

Where: There are five sites in Lexington and many others throughout the state. Call 1-888-227-7669 or visit AARP.org/taxaide for addresses.

When: Times vary; some sites accept drop-ins.

Wal-Mart

What: Jackson Hewitt and H&R Block locations at Wal-Mart stores will prepare the simplest of tax forms, the 1040EZ, for free.

Where: All Lexington locations and others around the state.

When: Times of the service vary by store.

Learn more: Visit Walmart.com (click on "Tax-Prep Tools").

Source: www.kentucky.com