WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today announced the availability of Statistics of Income—2011, Individual Income Tax Returns (Publication 1304), on irs.gov/taxstats. U.S. taxpayers filed 145.4 million individual income tax returns for tax year 2011. This was up 1.7 percent from 2010.

Also in tax year 2011, the adjusted gross income less deficit reported on those returns totaled $8.4 trillion, a 3.5-percent increase from the prior year.

The report is based on a sample drawn from the 145.4 million individual income tax returns filed for tax year 2011 and provides estimates of sources of income, adjusted gross income, exemptions, deductions, taxable income, income tax, modified income tax, tax credits, self-employment tax and tax payments.

Classifications include tax status, size of adjusted gross income, marital status, age and type of tax computation. A brief text reviews the requirements for filing tax returns, explains the changes in tax law and describes the sample used to produce the report. Publication 1304 is currently available for download at irs.gov/taxstats.

For more information about these data, please write to the Director, Statistics of Income Division, RAS:S, Internal Revenue Service, 1111 Constitution Avenue, K-Room 4122, Washington, DC 20224.

If you’re looking for a way to help your community, then consider becoming a tax volunteer. The IRS is looking for volunteers now who will provide free tax help next year.

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Tax Counseling for the Elderly are community-based programs. They provide free tax return preparation for people who need tax help but can’t afford it. People with low-to-moderate incomes, seniors, people with disabilities and those with limited English skills usually qualify for this free service.

Here are six good reasons why you should become a VITA or TCE volunteer.

1. No previous experience is required. Volunteers receive specialized training and have the option of serving in a variety of roles. If you’re fluent in a language other than English, you can help those who do not speak English.
2. IRS provides free tax law training and materials that allow volunteers to prepare basic individual income tax returns. Volunteers learn many aspects of tax return preparation. This includes tax deductions and credits that benefit eligible taxpayers, like the Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit and Credit for the Elderly.
3. The hours are flexible. Volunteers generally serve an average of three to five hours per week. Volunteer programs are open from mid-January through the tax filing deadline, which will be April 15, 2014.
4. Volunteer sites are located in communities throughout the nation. You’ll find them in neighborhood centers, libraries, schools, shopping malls and other convenient locations. VITA and TCE sites offer free electronic filing for both federal and state tax returns.
5. Veteran and non-veteran volunteers may be able to help military personnel and their families.
6. As a volunteer, you become part of a program that has helped people file tax returns at no charge for more than four decades. With VITA and TCE, you do make a difference. It’s people helping people. It’s that simple.

Additional information about becoming a VITA or TCE volunteer is available on IRS.gov. Type the key words “tax volunteer” in the search box. Those interested need to submit Form 14310, VITA/TCE Volunteer Sign Up, by email through the IRS website.

Additional IRS Resources:

• IRS Tax Volunteers
• IRS Free Tax Return Preparation Programs