Where Louisville residents can get free tax preparation help in 2026, plus eligibility and documents needed
Free tax help options available across Louisville during the 2026 filing season
The 2026 tax filing season is underway for federal returns covering the 2025 tax year, with the standard filing deadline set for Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Louisville residents who want assistance preparing and filing returns can access multiple free, in-person programs designed for low- and moderate-income households, older adults, and others who prefer face-to-face help.
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA): free preparation for eligible households
In Louisville, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program operates through a community partnership known locally as the Louisville Asset Building Coalition. The program uses trained, IRS-certified volunteers and offers several service formats depending on site capacity, including appointment-based preparation, walk-in support at select locations, and document drop-off services.
For the 2026 season, local VITA eligibility is generally tied to household income, with a published threshold of $70,000 or less. Program sites are scheduled to operate from late January through mid-April, with some locations opening in early February and running into April.
Americana Community Center (4801 Southside Drive): appointment-only service listed for Feb. 3 through April 11, 2026, with Tuesday evening and Saturday hours.
Edison Center (701 W. Ormsby, Suite 201): listed for Feb. 6 through March 27, 2026, offering drop-off and walk-in service on Fridays.
Goodwill Opportunity Centers: multiple Louisville locations list walk-in availability on specified weekdays during the season, including sites on West Broadway, East Broadway, and Preston Highway.
Louisville Urban League (1535 West Broadway): listed from Jan. 20 through April 15, 2026, with a mix of appointment and drop-off options depending on the day.
Residents seeking a nearby VITA location can also use city information services, including the 2-1-1 referral line or MetroCall, to identify options and confirm availability.
AARP Foundation Tax-Aide: free help with special attention to older adults
A separate option is AARP Foundation Tax-Aide, a national volunteer program that provides free preparation and filing, with special attention to taxpayers age 60 and older. AARP membership is not required. In Louisville, public library-hosted Tax-Aide sessions are scheduled at the Shawnee location (3912 West Broadway) on multiple dates between February and April 2026, generally running 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
What to bring to an appointment
Regardless of the site, residents should expect to bring:
Photo identification for the filer (and spouse, if filing jointly)
Social Security numbers (or ITIN documentation) for everyone listed on the return
All tax documents reporting income and benefits (such as W-2s and 1099 forms)
Bank routing and account numbers for direct deposit
Health insurance forms when applicable (including Marketplace-related documents)
A copy of last year’s return, if available
Free self-filing may be available online for many households
For residents who are comfortable preparing their own returns, the IRS Free File program offers no-cost guided software to eligible taxpayers based on adjusted gross income. For the 2026 season, the IRS has published an AGI limit of $89,000 or less for tax year 2025, with Free File Fillable Forms available for those outside the income limit who prefer to complete forms independently.