Where retirees can get help

Older Americans will benefit from tax changes in President Donald Trump’s “Big and Beautiful Bill” that go into effect in 2025.

“What group of people is going to benefit the most from tax changes over the past year? It’s almost certainly going to be seniors and retirees,” Alex Durante, senior economist at the Tax Foundation, recently told CNBC.

But they will have to file a tax return to see if they qualify and how much they can get.

For seniors in need of assistance, there are several free tax services that can help prepare your return in time for the April 15 deadline.

Older taxpayers can take advantage of the IRS’s free program. These include Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA), which provides assistance to low- to moderate-income taxpayers, and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE), which specifically assists people age 60 and older with preparing their tax returns.

There’s also the AARP Foundation’s Tax-Aide, which will be open through Tax Day and offer free tax preparation services, especially to filers age 50 and older.

“Thousands of volunteers participate each year to provide free tax assistance and preparation services to low- to moderate-income seniors,” said Miosi Moses, vice president of AARP Foundation Volunteer Programs.

Tax-Aide is part of the AARP Foundation, the philanthropic arm of AARP focused on reducing poverty among seniors. Mr. Moses said the program will help taxpayers obtain their hard-earned refunds and credits by providing free tax preparation services.

As older Americans prepare to file their tax returns this year, several big changes could affect their earnings.

The “Big Beautiful” tax law provides for a new senior “bonus,” a deduction of up to $6,000 per eligible individual. To be eligible for this season, taxpayers must be at least 65 years old on or before December 31, 2025. The senior tax credit is valid through the 2028 tax year, so seniors may be able to take advantage of temporary tax relief in the future.

Individuals with a modified adjusted gross income of $75,000 or less are eligible for the full $6,000 deduction. If your modified adjusted gross income is $150,000 or less, you can receive $12,000 if both spouses qualify.

The deduction is phased out for incomes above these thresholds and completely phased out for individuals with modified adjusted gross incomes of $175,000 or more and couples with modified adjusted gross incomes of $250,000 or more.

According to the Council of Economic Advisers, an agency within the president’s office, the tax cuts could increase after-tax income for each eligible senior by an average of $670.

The new senior citizen deduction is in addition to other tax breaks created in the new tax law, including the enhanced standard deduction. Older filers may also be eligible for a long-standing senior tax exemption of $2,000 per individual or $3,200 per couple.

Individual taxpayers who qualify for all three deductions could receive a total tax reduction of $23,750, while married couples could receive a total of $46,700, according to the CEA.

As a result of these changes, CEA estimates that an estimated 88% of seniors will no longer have to pay taxes on their Social Security benefits because their total deductions exceed their taxable benefits.

But another law of 2025, the Social Security Equity Act, provided for higher monthly Social Security payments and retroactive lump sum payments for some public pensioners. As a result, people affected by this law could see their taxable income increase when they file their taxes this year.

Older Americans who need help taking advantage of new tax breaks or filing regular returns can take advantage of free services provided by the IRS or AARP.

The IRS’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program provides free tax assistance to taxpayers with incomes of $69,000 or less, individuals with disabilities, and filers with limited English proficiency, among others.

Additionally, the IRS’ Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) program provides free assistance to individuals, particularly those 60 and older, with retirement-related issues and pensions.

According to the IRS, most TCE sites are operated by the AARP Foundation’s Tax-Aide program.

AARP’s Tax-Aide is aimed at low- to moderate-income seniors, but anyone can use the service, said Moses of the AARP Foundation.

AARP’s Tax-Aide offers a variety of services, including in-person and walk-in services for tax return preparation. Electronic filing preparation that does not require on-site visits. In-person or online coaching to prepare your tax return with the help of volunteers. Software for creating your own tax returns.

Taxpayers can use online tools to find a VITA or TCE location or the AARP Tax-Aide site near them.

Moses said Tax-Aide is present in more than 3,600 communities across the country.

The IRS provides a list of things to bring to the VITA or TCE site. AARP includes a list of required documents and detailed information about what taxpayers can expect.