Indianapolis Free Tax Prep 2027: Purdue Extension VITA Sites, AARP Tax-Aide, the $67,000 Limit and What to Bring
Updated: 12 hours ago
Indy Free Tax Prep is now run by Purdue Extension. Here's who qualifies, last season's Indianapolis VITA and AARP Tax-Aide sites, what to expect for 2027 and the full list of documents to bring.
AT A GLANCE
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If you used Indy Free Tax Prep in past years, the program looks a little different now. After running free tax help in Marion County for ten seasons, United Way of Central Indiana handed the program to Purdue Extension starting with the 2026 filing season. The service is the same IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, with IRS-certified volunteers, but the scheduling, contacts and some sites changed.
Here's what last season looked like in Indianapolis, what to expect for 2027, where seniors can get help through AARP Foundation Tax-Aide, and the full list of documents to bring.
Last reviewed: October 2026. Found something out of date? Our Editorial Standards explain how to report it.
Sites and dates for the 2027 season had not been posted when we checked.
What Changed: United Way to Purdue Extension
From 2015 to 2025, United Way of Central Indiana ran Indy Free Tax Prep in Boone, Hendricks, Marion and Morgan counties. United Way says volunteers filed more than 48,000 returns over that time, bringing more than $44 million in refunds to local households.
Beginning in 2026, Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service took over. Purdue Extension, which became an IRS VITA grant recipient, already ran sites in Howard, Tipton, Delaware, Shelby and other counties and added the Central Indiana counties last season.
What it means for you:
Book through Purdue Extension, not United Way.
Purdue's VITA page lists the sites, hours and the online scheduler.
Last season's contact for Marion County questions, per Mirror Indy, was Purdue Extension's local VITA coordinator, reachable by email through the Purdue Extension VITA page.
Last year's early hiccup
In January 2026, Mirror Indy reported that appointments weren't available yet because of IRS delays. If the scheduler isn't open when you first check in January 2027, try again in a week or two.
How VITA and Tax-Aide Work
Both programs are run under the IRS. VITA focuses on low- to moderate-income workers, and the IRS says it generally targets people who meet the Earned Income Tax Credit income guidelines. Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) focuses on people 60 and older, especially questions about pensions and retirement income. The IRS notes that most TCE sites are run by AARP Foundation Tax-Aide.
A few things the IRS says are true at every site:
Every volunteer who prepares returns must pass tax law training that meets or exceeds IRS standards, including training on privacy and confidentiality.
The service is free. No one should charge you a fee or take a cut of your refund.
Services vary by site depending on which volunteers are certified for which topics. If your return has something unusual, ask when you book.
Some sites also offer a "Self-Prep" option, where you use free software with a certified volunteer nearby to answer questions. Look for that label in the IRS VITA locator.
To find any VITA or TCE site nationwide, use the IRS VITA Locator or call 800-906-9887. For AARP Tax-Aide between January and April, call 888-227-7669.
Who Qualifies
For the 2026 season, Mirror Indy reported Marion County VITA eligibility as:
Income of $67,000 or less a year, or
A disability, or
Limited English
The IRS's general VITA guideline is about $70,244 or less, but each program can set its own cap. For Indianapolis, use the local figure and confirm when 2027 details are posted.
Purdue Extension describes the program as serving low- to moderate-income taxpayers, seniors and people with disabilities.
Last Season's Indianapolis VITA Sites (2026)
All were by appointment. Expect many to return, but confirm on Purdue Extension's VITA page before you go.
Site | Address | Phone (per Purdue Extension) |
|---|---|---|
AMVETS Post 99 | 2840 Lafayette Rd. | 317-456-2816 |
John H. Boner Neighborhood Center | 2236 E. 10th St. | 317-808-2393 |
Indianapolis Public Library, East 38th Street | 5420 E. 38th St. | 317-759-1262 |
Southeast Community Services | 901 Shelby St. | 317-510-0230 |
Hawthorne Community Center | 2440 W. Ohio St. | 317-637-4312 |
Oasis Christian Community Development Corp. | 1701 E. 25th St. | 317-213-4821 |
Southeast Community Services also listed an email for VITA questions on Purdue's page.
Note: Mirror Indy listed a different phone number for Oasis (317-418-8467). We've used Purdue Extension's number. Call either if one doesn't connect.
Nearby Purdue Extension sites last season included First Christian Church of Martinsville (Morgan County) and the Shelby County Extension Office in Shelbyville.
Seniors: AARP Foundation Tax-Aide
AARP Foundation Tax-Aide offers free help with an emphasis on older adults. Mirror Indy reported four Indianapolis sites in 2026, each open Feb. 2 to April 15, where a volunteer helps you file in one visit:
MLK Center, 40 W. 40th St. Wednesdays, 9:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Appointments by phone: 317-923-4581.
Speedway Library, 5633 W. 25th St. Thursdays, 9:15 a.m.–3 p.m. Book in person at the library desk.
Lawrence Ft. Ben Library, 9330 E. 56th St. Fridays, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Book at the library desk.
Beech Grove Senior Center, 602 Main St. Tuesdays, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. Appointments: 317-788-4987.
AARP's site locator goes offline between seasons, so check back in January for 2027 locations.
The service is free. No one should charge you a fee or take a cut of your refund.
What to Bring
Purdue Extension and Mirror Indy publish the same IRS-recommended list. Bring:
Identity
☐ Original photo ID for you and your spouse. Mirror Indy notes a driver's license, state ID, school ID or passport, and says to bring the original, not a copy.
☐ Social Security cards for you, your spouse and every dependent. If you need a replacement, start early with Social Security.
☐ If someone doesn't have an SSN: their ITIN notice (CP-01A) or IRS identity protection PIN letter
☐ Proof of foreign status, if applying for an ITIN
☐ Birth dates for everyone on the return
Income
☐ W-2s, W-2Gs, 1099-Rs and 1099-MISCs from every employer or payer
☐ SSA-1099 Social Security benefit statements
☐ Bank interest and dividend statements (Forms 1099)
☐ IRS and state income transcripts, if you have them
Everything else
☐ Last year's federal and state returns, if available
☐ A blank check or other proof of your routing and account numbers for direct deposit
☐ Child care costs and the provider's tax ID (SSN or EIN)
☐ Form 1095-A, if you had Marketplace insurance
☐ Any health coverage exemption certificate
Married filing jointly? Both spouses must be there to sign for an e-filed return.
Prefer to File Online?
MyFreeTaxes.com: Purdue Extension describes it as a safe, IRS-partnered platform for filing your own return online for free.
IRS Free File: guided software from IRS partners is free if your adjusted gross income is $89,000 or less. Some offers include free state returns. Start from the IRS Free File page rather than a search ad.
Getting Ready Now
Find your documents now, especially Social Security cards. Replacements can take time.
Owed a refund from a past year? Many VITA sites do prior-year returns. Ask when you book.
Watch Purdue Extension's VITA page in January. Last season, Purdue held a kickoff event at its Marion County office in late January before appointments opened.
Book one appointment only. Purdue says duplicate bookings may be canceled.
Quick Checklist
Income $67,000 or less, disabled or limited English? You likely qualify for VITA.
Senior? AARP Tax-Aide is another free option.
Book online through Purdue Extension when 2027 scheduling opens.
Gather documents from the list above.
Prefer DIY? Use MyFreeTaxes.com or IRS Free File.
A few details still need confirming with the office itself: 2027 VITA sites, hours, dates and income limit weren't posted; the site list reflects 2026. Purdue's page didn't state Marion County site hours for 2026. The Oasis phone number differs between sources (flagged). Purdue's own income limit wasn't stated on its page; the $67,000 figure comes from Mirror Indy's 2026 reporting. AARP Tax-Aide's 2027 sites aren't posted.
WHAT TO DO THIS WEEK
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More help in Indianapolis
Every guide we have for Indianapolis is listed on our Indianapolis financial help hub.
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