Free
tax help

We can help file your taxes for free.
Visit your nearest Ladder Up site and our trained volunteers will review your documents, answer questions, prepare and file your taxes.

Find a location near you

Am I eligible?

We focus on helping those who need it most, based on income.
But there are some cases we aren’t able to take on. Check if you’re eligible for free services.

We can help if:

  • You are a resident of Illinois or Indiana

    AND

  • Your household earns less than $40,000 per year
  • You’re an individual earning less than $30,000 per year
  • You’re a full-year resident of Illinois
  • You’re a full-year resident of Indiana (South Bend, IN tax sites only)

Good to know:

If you’re filing a joint return because you’re married, both spouses need to be present.

We cannot help if you:

  • Are Self-Employed or have Cash-Income
  • Are military personnel
  • Have rental income
  • Have Cancellation of Debt (Form 1099-C) or filed for bankruptcy
  • Need to file a Kiddie Tax (scholarships exceeded billed amount)
  • Are a partial-year Illinois/Indiana resident or need to file for another state
  • Own your own business / Home office

See full list of exclusions here.

Other tax services

Tax disputes

If you’re in a dispute with the IRS or Illinois Department of Revenue, don’t panic. Our Tax Clinic offers free guidance and legal support to help you resolve any tax issues you have.

Get free help
Money basics

Learn the essentials to build confidence with your finances. From understanding taxes and FAFSA to basic budgeting and savings.

Start learning

What documents should I bring when I visit?

ID

Your identification
  • Original Social Security Card (or ITIN letter) for all individuals on your return
  • Government-issued Photo ID
  • Bank routing and account numbers (for direct deposit)
  • Identity Theft PIN (if applicable)

Income

Your income documents
  • W-2’s 
  • 1099s (retirement, dividends, interest, unemployment) 
  • Health insurance (1095-A) 

Expenses

Your expense receipts
  • K-12 & College Tuition (Forms 1098-T) 
  • Student loan interest (1098-E) 
  • Childcare info (provider + Tax ID/SSN) 
  • Mortgage interest & property taxes 

Find your nearest walk-in location

Find free, walk-in tax support at locations across the State of Illinois, the City of Chicago, Chicagoland area and South Bend, Indiana.

Locate us

Support for past filings

ID

ITIN support

Need to apply for or renew an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number? We can help.

Email us at [email protected]
or call (312) 409-1555 to get started.

See what documents you’ll need

Past returns

Help with past tax returns

If you need to file or amend a prior year tax return, we offer service from June through September.

Get in touch

Refund TRACKING

Where’s my refund?

To check your federal refund, visit: irs.gov/refunds

To check your Illinois state refund, visit: mytax.illinois.gov

Don’t see a result? Reach out to us 
and we’ll help check the status of your return.

Get in touch

FAQS

The typical deadline is April 15 each year. If April 15 falls on a weekend or holiday, the deadline may be the next business day. You can request a 6-month extension, but any taxes owed must still be paid by the original deadline.

It depends. If your income is below a certain threshold, you may not be required to file. However, you may still want to file to claim a refund for any withheld taxes or to qualify for refundable credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).

Common documents include:
Photo ID for the person filing and spouse (if applicable)
Original Social Security Card (or ITIN letter) for everyone in the return
Form W-2 (from employers)
Form 1099 (for contract, or investment income)
Records of any deductions or credits (like tuition payments, childcare, or mortgage interest)

Yes. Ladder Up encourages tax returns to be filed electronically (e-file) using tax software. E-filing is the fastest way to receive your refund if you choose direct deposit.

Most refunds are issued within 21 days of the IRS receiving your e-filed return with direct deposit. Paper returns or mailed refund checks may take longer.

Yes, all Ladder Up services are free for clients. As a nonprofit, we rely purely on donors for funding, meaning you’ll never pay a thing for our services—that’s the Ladder Up promise.