please note: NFORMATION ON THIS PAGE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
                      ALL VITA SITES OPERATE INDEPENDENTLY AND MAY HAVE THEIR OWN POLICIES & ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS 

Client Frequently Asked Question (FAQ)
This webpage is just to give you a little information about VITA.  To learn more visit:  ​irs.gov/individuals/free-tax-return-preparation-for-qualifying-taxpayers
Are you looking for a VITA site?  Use this IRS VITA lookup tool to find a location near you: ​irs.treasury.gov/freetaxprep/  VITA and TCE sites are generally located at community and neighborhood centers, libraries, schools, shopping malls and other convenient locations across the country. To locate the nearest VITA or TCE site near you, use the VITA Locator Tool or call 800-906-9887.

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. VITA sites offer free tax help to people who need assistance in preparing their own tax returns, including:
  • People who generally make $58,000 or less  (income limit varies by program--some have lower income limits and some have higher--make sure you qualify before you visit your site)
  • Persons with disabilities; and
  • Limited English-speaking taxpayers
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 operated by IRS partners and staffed by 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.

What to Bring

  • Proof of identification (photo ID)
  • Social Security cards for you, your spouse and dependents 
  • An Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) assignment letter may be substituted for you, your spouse and your dependents if you do not have a Social Security number
  • Proof of foreign status, if applying for an ITIN
  • Birth dates for you, your spouse and dependents on the tax return
  • Wage and earning statements (Form W-2, W-2G, 1099-R,1099-Misc) from all employers
  • Interest and dividend statements from banks (Forms 1099)
  • Brokerage Statements (1099-B and Consolidated statements)
  • ​A copy of last year’s federal and state returns, if available
  • Proof of bank account routing and account numbers for direct deposit such as a blank check
  • To file taxes electronically on a married-filing-joint tax return, both spouses must be present to sign the required forms
  • Total paid for daycare provider and the daycare provider's tax identifying number such as their Social Security number or business Employer Identification Number
  • Forms 1095-A From Marketplace
  • Copies of income transcripts from IRS and state, if applicable
​Spanish PDF    English PDF 

We are Unable to Help With:

  • Schedule C with: employees, loss, depreciation or business use of home
  • Rental Income (unless for active duty military--MUST visit a site with military certified volunteers)
  • Sale of property that Is NOT your main home
  • Complicated Schedule D (capital gains and losses)
  • Crypto 
  • Form SS-5 (request for Social Security Number)
  • Form 8606 (non-deductible IRA)
  • Form 8814 (child taxed at parent’s tax rate Kiddie Tax
  • Form SS-8 (determination of worker status for purposes of federal employment taxes and income tax withholding)
  • Parts 4 & 5 of Form 8962 (Allocation of Policy Amounts **Meaning all family members on the Marketplace policy MUST be on the tax return, and we can't help with Alternative Calculation for Year of Marriage)
To learn more or to see if you qualify, reach out to your local VITA/TCE site.  A lot of VITA programs can be found by calling 2-1-1, United Way's Information and Referral hot line. To find a site near you visit:  VITA Locator Tool 
The IRS has a lot of helpful information on irs.gov, here is some that may interest you: (Thanks for sharing Stef)

Organized by type of event, this page provides resources that explain the tax impact of each. Since life events can affect your refund or how much you owe the IRS at tax time, the IRS recommends you use the Tax Withholding Estimator to check and make sure you’re paying the right amount of tax from each paycheck.
Life Events
From Birth through Childhood
Home
About
Contact Me
You can contact me at maryvitataxes@gmail.com 
Please note: I, Mary Meador, AM NOT a certified accountant or tax law expert. I volunteer with VITA providing free tax preparation for individuals and families whose income is less than $66,000 a year. We deal with simple returns at our sites.  I cannot guarantee the accuracy of all the information on this site as tax laws change and I may not have a clear understanding of complicated issues. I am trying to provide basic tax preparation information for our volunteers to get started--remember Publication 4012 is your go-to resource for questions, as well as irs.gov and Publication 17.  I hope you find this information useful and easy to understand. Thanks for being a VITA/TCE volunteer!​