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What is VITA?

The IRS's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs offer free basic tax return preparation to qualified individuals.

The VITA program has operated for over 50 years, offering free tax help to:

• People who generally make $74,000 or less
• Persons with disabilities; and
• Limited English-speaking taxpayers

Who need assistance in preparing their own income tax returns.

In addition to VITA, the TCE program offers free tax help, particularly for those who are 60 years of age and older, specializing in questions about pensions and retirement-related issues unique to seniors.

While the IRS manages the VITA and TCE programs, the VITA/TCE sites are managed by IRS partners and staffed by their volunteers who want to make a difference in their communities. The IRS-certified volunteers who provide tax counseling are often retired individuals associated with non-profit organizations that receive grants from the IRS.

VITA/TCE services are not only free, they are also a reliable and trusted source for preparing tax returns. All VITA/TCE volunteers who prepare returns must take and pass tax law training that meets or exceeds IRS standards. This training includes maintaining the privacy and confidentiality of all taxpayer information. In addition to requiring volunteers to certify their knowledge of the tax laws, the IRS requires a quality review check for every return prepared at a VITA/TCE site prior to filing. Each filing season, tens of thousands of dedicated VITA/TCE volunteers prepare millions of federal and state returns. They also assist taxpayers with the preparation of thousands of Facilitated Self-Assistance returns.

Get Help Preparing Your Returns

VITA volunteers are available from 10 am-1 pm Saturdays in the Classroom Building on Harrington (Central) Campus, Room 115.

Be sure to bring:

1. Photo ID such as a driver's license or passport

2. Social Security cards for you, your spouse, and all dependents

3. a copy of last year’s tax return

4. Income information:

• Wages and earnings (Form W-2, 1099-Misc, 1099-NEC, 1099-K) from all employers
• Social Security (SSA-1099), pensions or IRA (1099-R)
• Interest from banks (1099-INT) and dividends (1099-DIV)
• Unemployment Compensation (1099-G)
• Gambling or Lottery winnings (W-2G)

(Important: All tax documents must be printed on paper! (No tax information on a cell phone will be accepted. If that is what you have, go home, print it and come back!)

5. Health insurance information: 

• Health Insurance Cards and coverage information (1095-A, 1095-B, or 1095-C, 1099-HC)

6. Information about Expenses:

• Childcare expenses: statement from daycare provider with amount paid and the provider’s tax ID number
• Education expenses: Tuition: 1098-T, Student loan interest: 1098-E

7. Homeowners 65 and over: property tax and excise tax bills, water/sewer bills

8. Bank account information: routing and account numbers for direct deposit, such as a blank check, which will be returned to you

9. Both spouses must be present to file a married-filing-jointly tax return, and both must sign the required forms.

Questions?

Contact George Gray for more information.