Looking to make tax season a little less taxing? One way to reduce your stress before the April 15th filing deadline is to get some free help in preparing your taxes. Don't wait until the last minute. Instead check out these five resources where you can get tax preparation assistance – and answers to all your tax questions – at no cost whatsoever.

1. The Volunteer Income Tax program

If you earned roughly $42,000 or less, if you are in the military, or if you can't prepare you own taxes, you can get free help in filling out your tax return from a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site in your area.

The VITA Program operates nationwide, and is staffed by individuals who are trained in completing basic tax returns. Find a local VITA site by calling 800-829-1040. Most of the country's 12,000-plus VITA sites are run out of community agencies, neighborhood centers, libraries and schools.

Here is what the IRS recommends you bring to a VITA site to have your tax returns prepared:

• ID: Proof of identification.
• SS cards: Social Security Cards for you, your spouse and dependents and/or a Social Security Number verification letter issued by the Social Security Administration. (For joint tax filers, both spouses must also be present to sign the tax return.)
• DOB: Birth dates for you, your spouse and dependents on the tax return.
• Tax forms: Current year's tax package if you received one.
• W2: Wage and earning statement(s) Form W-2, W-2G, 1099-R, from all employers.
• 1099: Interest and dividend statements from banks (Forms 1099).
• Last return: A copy of last year's federal and state returns if available.
• Bank info: Bank routing numbers and account numbers for Direct Deposit.
• Daycare info: Total paid for daycare provider and the daycare provider's tax identifying number (the provider's Social Security Number or the provider's business Employer Identification Number).

2. The IRS Website

Visit http://www.IRS.gov for all things tax-related. At the IRS's website, you can use Free File, a no-cost electronic filing service provided by the IRS and its partners. The software is simple and easy to use. But if you do have questions, chances are you'll find the answers somewhere on the Forms, Publications or online tools found on this site, such as the IRS Withholding Calculator. Once you've filed your taxes, if you're expecting a refund, you can track it down by using Where's My Refund?, a service offered at IRS.gov.


3. The IRS Tax Help Line
You've got questions? The IRS has answers. Just call one of their specialists at 800-829-1040. Not only will your friendly IRS phone rep let you know things like what deductions you can or can't take; she'll also walk you through basic forms, and explain your options if you can't afford to pay your tax bill. For the hearing impaired, TTY/TDD users can call 800-829-4059. Lastly, if you don't need a live person, but simply want to order free forms, publications or instructions, you can call 800-829-3676.

4. Taxpayer Assistance Centers

Is your tax issue a little more complex, or do you simply want to avoid getting help over the phone or online? No problem. You can get face-to-face counseling and assistance from an IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center in your region. To find out exact locations, hours, and a list of available services, just go to http://www.IRS.gov, click the "Individuals" tab, then go to the link that says "Contact My Local Office." You will find it located in the left tool bar section, under IRS Resources. You can book an appointment online. Extended hours and Saturday service is available during tax-filing season.

5. Tax Counseling for the Elderly

This free tax preparation service is provided through VITA and the Tax Counseling for the Elderly program. Assistance is offered for low-to-moderate income taxpayers. To find the closest TCE location near you, call 800-906-9887. Alternatively, you can call AARP – which is the single-largest TCE participant – at 888-227-7669, or log onto http://www.aarp.org to find free, local tax help.

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Lynnette Khalfani-Cox, an award-winning financial news journalist and former Wall Street Journal reporter for CNBC, has also been featured in top newspapers including the Washington Post, USA Today, and the New York Times, as well as magazines ranging from Essence and Redbook to Black Enterprise and Smart Money.