Get Free Tax Prep Help

by | Jan 30, 2015

VITAIn the early ’70s, Gary Iskowitz was doing graduate work as well as teaching tax law while working for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Mr. Iskowitz saw a growing problem with questionable tax preparers who were scamming low-income people in his area. He did not like what he saw! Consequently, he proposed training a few like-minded student volunteers to go into the community to prepare free tax returns for under-served residents.
The rest, they say, is history! Starting with this volunteer effort, 40 years later, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program is still going strong.

VITA still is designed to promote and support free tax preparation service for the under-served in both urban and non-urban locations. Service is targeted to low-to moderate- income individuals, persons with disabilities, the elderly, and limited English-speaking individuals.

Why? Just as in Gary Iskowitz’ time, this program is an effort to provide both a valuable community service and a powerful learning experience for the participants. Not only does a tax payer get their taxes done for free, the local community benefits from the monies spent by the tax payer. Plus, the IRS is pleased because citizens are in compliance with federal law.

Check out your local VITA sites this year. Around North Florida, there are numerous volunteer sites being readied for the 2014 tax year. Some of these sites are traditional, where taxes are done in person; some sites prepare taxes via SKYPE – the telecommunications application software that specializes in providing video chat and voice calls from computers. Using SKYPE as an application to accessing VITA has been well received, especially in rural locations.

If you plan to take advantage of any of the VITA programs this year, be sure to bring the proper documentation. A return cannot be prepared without the appropriate documentation. For a complete list of documentation needed for a VITA-prepared tax return, contact your local VITA tax preparation site. Where are these sites? Call your local helpline 2-1-1 or visit http://irs.treasury.gov/freetaxprep/.

 

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Helps Everyone Win

by | Jan 22, 2014

picture of a button taxes done free

The Voluntary Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offers free tax preparation to qualifying taxpayers.

Tax season starts officially on January 31, 2014.  Now is time to start gathering documents and deciding on a tax preparer. For low to moderate income individuals and families, the VITA (Voluntary Income Tax Assistance) program maybe an option.  Generally, VITA offers free tax help to people making less than $52,000.

When taxpayers use VITA everyone wins! The Federal government saves money due to increases in electronic filings and reduced filing errors. Local economies benefit when taxpayers receive their entire refund to spend in the communities where they live and work.  Thanks to the help of Internal Revenue Service (IRS) trained and certified volunteers, qualified taxpayers save money on tax return preparation fees by receiving free high quality tax preparation service with access to e-file and direct deposit.

 

Volunteers will prepare:

  • Form 982, Cancelation of Debt***
  • Form 1040EZ, 1040A, 1040
  • Schedules A,B,D***,C-EZ,EIC,R, SE
  • Schedule E, Supplemental Income and Loss***
  • Schedule C, Profit or Loss from a Business***
  • Form 1040-V Balance Due Returns
  • Form 1040 –ES Estimated Tax Payments
  • Form 2016, Employee Business Expenses***
  • Form 2441 Child and Dependent Care Credit
  • Form 3903 Moving Expenses
  • Form 5329 Additional Taxes on Qualified Plans and Other Tax-Favored Accounts (part 1)
  • Form 5405, First Time Homebuyers
  • Form 8863 Education Credits
  • Form 8880 Credit for Qualified Retirement Savings Contributions
  • Additional Child Tax Credit
  • Form 8888 Allocation of Refund
  • Form 88889 Health Savings Accounts***
  • Form 8949 Sales and Other Dispositions of Capital Assets
  • Form 1040-X Amended Returns***

***These services are limited and depending on the scope of the request may require the assistance of a paid preparer.

 For assistance finding a VITA site near you contact your local UF/IFAS Extension Office http://solutionsforyourlife.ufl.edu/map/

or United Way (dial 211 or visit  www.211.org).