Puzzled by the tax law or which credits and deductions to take? Need assistance with your tax return?

Trained community volunteers can help you with special credits, such as Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, and Credit for the Elderly for which you may qualify. In addition to free tax return preparation assistance, most sites also offer free electronic filing (e-filing). Individuals taking advantage of the e-file program will receive their refunds in half the time compared to returns filed on paper – even faster if you have your refund deposited directly into your bank account.

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program

The VITA Program offers free tax help to low- to moderate-income people who cannot prepare their own tax returns. Certified volunteers sponsored by various organizations receive training to help prepare basic tax returns in communities across the country. Federal Hill House is part of a coalition made possible through a grant from the United Way .

Items you need to bring to the VITA/TCE Sites to have your tax returns prepared

· Proof of identification

· Social Security Cards for you, your spouse and dependents and/or a Social Security Number verification letter issued by the Social Security Administration

· Birth dates for you, your spouse and dependents on the tax return

· Current year’s tax package if you received one

· Wage and earning statement(s) Form W-2, W-2G, 1099-R, from all employers

· Interest and dividend statements from banks (Forms 1099)

· A copy of last year’s Federal and State returns if available

· Bank Routing Numbers and Account Numbers for Direct Deposit

· Total paid for day care provider and the day care provider's tax identifying number (the provider's Social Security Number or the provider's business Employer Identification Number)

· To file taxes electronically on a married filing joint tax return, both spouses must be present to sign the required forms.

Federal Hill House Tax site will open from mid January 2010 to April 12^th 2010. You can walk in or make an appointment, 421-4722.

Tax Law Training we Need YOU!

Only Certified VITA Tax Preparer volunteers may assist taxpayers prepare and e-file their taxes. Becoming certified as Vita Tax Preparer requires satisfactory completion of an open book test each year.    Annual certification is required even if you are a Tax Professional.  The purpose of the open book test is to make sure you are familiar with filling tax forms and can follow instructions; the passing grade is 80% (note that this is different from the 70% of prior years) of the multiple choice questions; if you do not pass a section, you can take a retest.

Tax returns prepared by VITA volunteers are considered self-prepared by the taxpayer.  VITA volunteers do not sign the tax returns as individuals; the return includes the Site ID for statistical and tracking purposes.

The Tax Law Training teaches the basic concepts of income tax law and is sufficient for preparing tax returns on paper.   Additional training is required to prepare taxes electronically.  The IRS training for VITA volunteers does not qualify a volunteer to give tax advice or complete tax returns for pay; different requirements apply for preparing tax returns for pay.  In addition, VITA volunteers prepare simple return.

IRS Tax Law Training options for VITA Tax Preparers