Get Free Tax Help at CPL
Ladder Up offers free tax prep clinics across the Chicago area for households that earned up to $67,000 or individuals who earned up to $35,000 in 2024. You can get Ladder Up help at two CPL locations.
Now through April 15, Ladder Up will offer free tax help at Harold Washington Library Center during these hours:
- Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays 10am-6pm
- Thursdays 10am-2pm
- Saturdays 10am-1pm
Now through April 12, Ladder Up will be offer free tax help at Brighton Park Library during these hours:
- Fridays 10am-3pm
- Saturdays 9:30am-12:30pm
You can browse other Ladder Up locations and view a checklist (in English and Spanish) of what to bring to your Ladder Up session.
CPL also hosts other tax help and educational programs!
We’ve got paper tax forms!
Branches have general state or federal forms available throughout tax season. Call or visit any CPL location to learn what forms they have available.
You can access additional forms from the IRS and Illinois Department of Revenue. (Remember that CPL offers 10 free pages of printing every day, and additional pages are 15 cents each.)
Are you eligible for IRS Free File?
If you made less than $84,000 in 2024, you’re eligible to use free guided tax preparation software from an IRS Trusted Partner. Answer a few questions to find the right partner program for you, or browse all eight options. Some partner programs will also help you file your state income taxes for free.
The IRS also offers free filing services for veterans and active military members, and free in-person tax preparation for some other groups. Find local free tax preparation sites here.
What’s Direct File?
It’s new! Taxpayers who lived in Illinois for all of 2024 are included in this year’s IRS Direct File expanded pilot program. Available in English and Spanish, Direct File is simple, accurate, and secure guided software directly from the IRS. Check your eligibility and get started.
The state of Illinois offers free direct filing at MyTax Illinois.
Need an extension?
The IRS and Illinois Department of Revenue each offer ways to automatically extend your filing deadline, giving you until October 15th to complete the rest of your tax return.
Avoid Tax and Identity Scams
Tax season is hunting season for scammers and identity thieves. You can read up on ways the IRS will and will not contact you, how they accept payment, and how to be sure you’re in touch with a real IRS agent. You can also learn how to recognize and avoid common scams.
If you’re worried you’ve been scammed, or that someone has stolen your information or identity, you can get in touch with the IRS or the Illinois Attorney General’s Office to make a report and get help.
You can use J.K. Lasser's your Income Tax 2024 to help you prepare your taxes.
Check out Tax Prep Chicago for more information about local and national tax resources.
