<html><head><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body dir="auto"><div dir="ltr"></div><div dir="ltr"><br><br><br>Begin forwarded message:<br><br></div><blockquote type="cite"><div dir="ltr"><b>From:</b> "David Goldfield via groups.io" <david.goldfield=outlook.com@groups.io><br><b>Date:</b> April 8, 2025 at 19:23:30 EDT<br><b>To:</b> tv <tech-vi@groups.io><br><b>Subject:</b> <b>[Tech-VI] Tax Resources for the Blind and Visually Impaired</b><br><b>Reply-To:</b> tech-vi@groups.io<br><br></div></blockquote><blockquote type="cite"><div dir="ltr">\ufeff
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<p>Braille Works - Wednesday, April 2, 2025 at 3:10\u202fPM</p>
<h1>Tax Resources for the Blind and Visually Impaired</h1>
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<p><!-- post title --><!-- /post title --><!-- post details --><span class="date">Published on
<time class="dt-updated dt-published updated" datetime="2025-04-02T15:10:03">April 2, 2025 at 3:10 pm</time></span><!-- /post details -->
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<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="alignright"><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" width="347" height="346" src="https://brailleworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Tax-Time.jpg" alt="Desktop calendar graphic with the words "tax time!" displayed" class="wp-image-2604" title="Desktop calendar graphic with the words "tax time!" displayed" srcset="https://brailleworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Tax-Time.jpg 347w, https://brailleworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Tax-Time-150x150.jpg 150w, https://brailleworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Tax-Time-250x249.jpg 250w, https://brailleworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Tax-Time-120x119.jpg 120w" sizes="(max-width: 347px) 100vw, 347px" data-unique-identifier=""></figure></div>
<p>It\u2019s everyone\u2019s favorite time of year again: Tax Time! </p>
<p>Some of us have procrastinated doing our taxes long enough this year. With April 15th quickly approaching, we\u2019d better get moving.</p>
<p>But what if someone has a visual disability? The print is so small on standard tax forms that it\u2019s often difficult to read even for people with 20/20 vision. How do they go about filing their taxes?</p>
<p>Not to worry! There are accessible tax resources available.</p>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Alternative Format Tax Forms</h2>
<p>Thankfully, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) proactively gave U.S. citizens a solution to this potential problem. Their solution is called the
<span><a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/information-about-the-alternative-media-center" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Alternative Media Center</a></span> (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 <a href="https://www.irs.gov/">
<span>IRS.gov</span></a>.</p>
<p>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. </p>
<p>The Braille Ready File (.brf) format is a widely recognized form of contracted (<span><a href="https://brailleworks.com/braille-defined/#What-does-it-look-like" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Grade 2</a></span>) braille that a refreshable braille
display can easily read or emboss for a high-quality hard copy.</p>
<p>Both the <a href="https://brailleworks.com/benefits-large-print-documents-might-surprised/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">
<span>large print</span></a> and <span><a href="https://brailleworks.com/508-compliance-needs-compliant/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Section 508</a></span> files come as PDFs so you can view them on any computer or smartphone.</p>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program</h2>
<p>Now, you have the accessible forms, but what do you do if you still need assistance?</p>
<p>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
<span><a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/free-tax-return-preparation-for-qualifying-taxpayers" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Volunteer Income Tax Assistance</a></span> (VITA) program. This program relies on trained volunteers from IRS partners
to prepare federal and state returns.</p>
<p>You can find a local office by using the IRS\u2019s <span><a href="https://irs.treasury.gov/freetaxprep/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">VITA Locator Tool</a></span> or by calling 800-906-9887.</p>
<p>We also recommend glancing over all of the <span><a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p3676bsp.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">services VITA offers</a></span> and
<span><a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/checklist-for-free-tax-return-preparation" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">what to bring</a></span> when visiting a local office.</p>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Accessible IRS Communications</h2>
<p>Did you know that you can easily request all of your IRS letters and notices in an accessible format? It\u2019s true!</p>
<p>The IRS provides a couple of options for accomplishing this. You can either mail Form 9000,
<span><a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f9000.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Alternative Media Preference</a></span>, or call 800-829-1040 to request future communications in braille, large print, audio, or electronic formats.</p>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">More Help is Available</h2>
<p>If you find yourself needing more assistance, you\u2019re not alone.</p>
<p>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\u2019s accessibility services.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>If that\u2019s not enough, there\u2019s even more <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/more-information-for-people-with-disabilities" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">
<span>information for people with disabilities</span></a> available on the IRS\u2019s website.</p>
<p>We\u2019ll keep our fingers crossed that you get the highest refund possible. Happy filing! </p>
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<p>Editor\u2019s Note: This post was originally published in April 2013 and has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.</p>
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<p><a href="https://brailleworks.com/tax-resources-for-the-blind-and-visually-impaired/">https://brailleworks.com/tax-resources-for-the-blind-and-visually-impaired/</a></p>
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