Your taxes, done free by IRS-certified volunteers. AARP Foundation Tax-Aide and the IRS's VITA and TCE programs prepare and e-file returns at no charge, and in past seasons they've run in Carlsbad, Encinitas and Oceanside. AARP says its volunteers take appointments from early February to mid-April; dates for the 2027 season aren't posted yet.
The free options, side by side
| Option | Who it's for | How |
|---|---|---|
| AARP Foundation Tax-Aide | Anyone who qualifies, with a special focus on people over 50 with low to moderate income. No AARP membership needed. | In person, early February to mid-April. AARP site locator or 1-888-227-7669. |
| IRS Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) | People 60 and older; specializes in pensions and retirement questions. | Most TCE sites are run by AARP Tax-Aide. IRS locator or 800-906-9887. |
| IRS VITA | People who generally make about $70,244 or less, people with disabilities, and limited English speakers. Sites can set their own limits. | IRS locator or 800-906-9887. |
| IRS Free File | Do it yourself: guided software for adjusted gross income of $89,000 or less; Fillable Forms for any income. | Start at IRS.gov/freefile, not the software company's own site. |
| CalFile | Your California return, filed straight to the Franchise Tax Board, free. | CalFile needs a MyFTB account; you must have filed a California return in one of the last five years. |
Free tax help near you
- Carlsbad Senior Center, 799 Pine Ave, 442-339-2650 (City of Carlsbad). The City has hosted AARP Tax-Aide there for adults 50+ in past seasons; call to ask about this season's dates.
- Encinitas Library: the County library has listed AARP Tax Help sessions there in past seasons.
- Oceanside, Country Club Senior Center, 455 Country Club Lane: the City of Oceanside Parks and Recreation announced AARP free tax help there for the 2026 season.
No library tax sessions are posted yet at Solana Beach, Del Mar, Cardiff or Encinitas. From December this page checks the County library's calendar every day and lists them here as soon as they go up.
What to bring
- Photo ID for you, and your spouse if you file jointly.
- Social Security cards for everyone on the return.
- Your Social Security benefit statement (SSA-1099) and pension or IRA statements (1099-R).
- Interest and dividend statements from the bank or brokerage (1099s).
- Last year's federal and state returns, if you have them.
- A blank check, so the refund can go straight to your account.
Filing jointly and e-filing? The IRS says both spouses need to be there to sign. The full list: IRS checklist for free tax return preparation.
Where PJ comes in
PJ doesn't prepare taxes or give tax advice; the certified volunteers do that, free. He does the parts that stall people: books the appointment the week sites open, gathers the papers into one folder with you or your parent using the IRS checklist, and can sit in if you want a second set of ears. Family Assist, $30 an hour, usually one visit. A Parent Check-In Plan visit can be the folder day.
Text PJ · the senior benefits checkup · Medicare Extra Help · check your property tax bill
Sources: IRS, Free tax return preparation for qualifying taxpayers, IRS Free File and the checklist · AARP Foundation Tax-Aide · Franchise Tax Board, CalFile · City of Carlsbad, Adults 50+. Checked October 10, 2026.
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This page is built every morning from public data by SideGuy, run by PJ, a local in Solana Beach. If something looks off, or you want a hand with your plans, text PJ at 858-461-8054. A real person answers.
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Questions people ask
Where can seniors get free tax help in North County San Diego?
AARP Foundation Tax-Aide has run free tax prep at the Carlsbad Senior Center (799 Pine Ave, 442-339-2650), the Encinitas Library and Oceanside's Country Club Senior Center in past seasons. Find this season's sites with the AARP or IRS locators once they open in early February.
Do I need to be an AARP member to use Tax-Aide?
No. AARP says you don't need to be a member. The service is free, with a special focus on people over 50 with low to moderate income.
When does AARP Tax-Aide start?
AARP says its volunteers take appointments from early February to mid-April.
What is the income limit for free tax help?
The IRS doesn't set a program-wide limit for VITA; sites generally serve people who make about $70,244 or less. TCE is for people 60 and older. IRS Free File's guided software is for adjusted gross income of $89,000 or less.
Can I file my California taxes for free?
Yes. CalFile lets you e-file your state return directly with the Franchise Tax Board for free; you need a MyFTB account.
What should I bring to a free tax appointment?
Photo ID, Social Security cards for everyone on the return, your SSA-1099 and 1099-R, bank 1099s, last year's returns if you have them, and a blank check for direct deposit, per the IRS checklist.
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