Tax Resources for the Blind and Visually Impaired

It’s everyone’s favorite time of year again: Tax Time! 

Some of us have procrastinated doing our taxes long enough this year. With April 15th quickly approaching, we’d better get moving.

But what if someone has a visual disability? The print is so small on standard tax forms that it’s often difficult to read even for people with 20/20 vision.  How do they go about filing their taxes?

Not to worry! There are accessible tax resources available.

Alternative Format Tax Forms

Thankfully, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) proactively gave U.S. citizens a solution to this potential problem. Their solution is called the Alternative Media Center (AMC). There you will find helpful links and several of the most commonly used tax forms and publications available to download in accessible formats directly from IRS.gov.

• All Accessible IRS Forms & Publications
• Braille and Text Format Tax Forms
• Braille and Text Format Tax Publications
• Large Print Format Tax Instructions
• Large Print Format Tax Publications
• Section 508 compliant PDF forms
• Section 508 compliant PDF publications

You can open and read text files with any program that reads text, including Microsoft Word and Notepad. Text format also works well with screen enlargers, refreshable braille displays, and screen reading software. 

The Braille Ready File (.brf) format is a widely recognized form of contracted (Grade 2) braille that a refreshable braille display can easily read or emboss for a high-quality hard copy.

Both the large print and Section 508 files come as PDFs so you can view them on any computer or smartphone.

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program

Now, you have the accessible forms, but what do you do if you still need assistance?

If you need help completing your forms before filing, there are tax resources available for this as well. The IRS provides free basic tax return preparation for people with disabilities called the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. This program relies on trained volunteers from IRS partners to prepare federal and state returns.

You can find a local office by using the IRS’s VITA Locator Tool or by calling 800-906-9887.

We also recommend glancing over all of the services VITA offers and what to bring when visiting a local office.

Accessible IRS Communications

Did you know that you can easily request all of your IRS letters and notices in an accessible format? It’s true!

The IRS provides a couple of options for accomplishing this. You can either mail Form 9000, Alternative Media Preference, or call 800-829-1040 to request future communications in braille, large print, audio, or electronic formats.

More Help is Available

If you find yourself needing more assistance, you’re not alone.

The IRS offers an Accessibility Helpline designed to answer questions for taxpayers with print disabilities. You can call 833-690-0598 with questions about the IRS’s accessibility services.

They also offer customer service assistance for people with hearing disabilities. People with TTY equipment may call 800-829-4059, which is a toll-free number, for assistance.

If that’s not enough, there’s even more information for people with disabilities available on the IRS’s website.

We’ll keep our fingers crossed that you get the highest refund possible. Happy filing! 

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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in April 2013 and has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.