Anchor Intro: Every year millions of Americans line up to pay professionals to do their taxes. But needing professional help doesn't mean you need to pay for it. Bankrate.com explains who qualifies for free professional help, free electronic filing...and free advice.

Voiceover 1: Taxes can be complicated, and the slightest oversight could mean leaving major money on the table. Good reasons to hire professional help. But if you're lucky, that help won't cost you a dime.

Voiceover 2: If you made less than $40 grand last year, you could qualify for free help. It's called VITA: Volunteer Income Tax Assistance. And there are literally thousands of VITA sites in churches, on military bases...even at some IRS offices.

SOT: "We'll do the return for them, file electronically, and hopefully they can get their refund pretty quickly. We'll provide basically the service that you would from a professional, however it's free."

Voiceover 3: If you're over 60, AARP also has thousands of places you can go for free preparation and filing.

Voiceover 4: And even if you're too young or make too much, you might still qualify for free electronic filing: 75 people of Americans ... 90 million people ... qualify.

SOT: "Even if your income is over $40,000, you can still get free help by going to our Web site at irs.gov and click on free file. And that's where you can file for free if your income is less than $54,000."

Voiceover 5: So up to 40,000: free preparation. Up to 54,000: free file. And for everyone else: free help. Either in person at the IRS office, or on one of their toll-free numbers.

Standup: But here's a warning ... just because you qualify for free help doesn't mean it's automatic. Walk into some tax preparation services and they'll be happy to take your money ... even though they know you could be getting free help. So know if you qualify ... and don't tax your budget! For Bankrate.com, I'm Kristin Arnold.