Evanston RoundTable: Need help doing your taxes? These free resources are here for you

Filing taxes can be complicated and paid services to help parse through the process can be expensive. The United States Internal Revenue Service does offer aid for qualifying citizens who need help figuring things out, as well as resources like the Chicagoland Ladder Up program and the AARP Foundation.

Below is a list of resources that can assist many citizens. The deadline for tax filings this year is April 15.

IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE)

Both of these IRS-offered programs help citizens file tax returns, but have different requirements for eligibility.

For VITA, patrons must be either disabled, make less than $69,000 annually or have limited English speaking abilities. TCE services is for those aged 60 and older and specializes in questions on retirement, pensions and annuities.

While there are no locations in Evanston, some of the nearby spots to obtain VITA or TCE help include Northeastern Illinois University on the weekends, Truman College on most weekdays (both in Chicago) and Center of Concern in Des Plaines.

These sites also offer services in a number of languages, including English and Spanish. Northeastern Illinois University also offers Polish and Russian services.

Patrons should bring identification, a social security card, wage and earning statements, a copy of their returns from last year and a few other things, the full list of which can be found on the IRS website.

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Ladder Up Tax Assistance Program

This program serves low-income filers in Illinois and Indiana who make less than $40,000 annually.

The nonprofit aims to help people move up the economic ladder, and also offers financial services beyond tax filing help.

Residents can find the full list of Ladder Up locations here.