VITA

VOLUNTEER INCOME TAX ASSISTANCE (VITA)

What is VITA?

VITA is the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. It is a program that offers no cost tax filing services to working individuals and families with household incomes of $50,000 or less.

How does it work?

Before the tax season starts, VITA volunteers have already put in 24 hours each of tax preparation training and certification by the Internal Revenue Service. Last year, over 310 volunteers helped staff 17 VITA sites, at various locations around the community, offering no cost tax filing assistance throughout the tax season.

VITA volunteers are also apart of several events throughout the tax season. Several VITA volunteers will also be spending time at the Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians offering no cost tax filing assistance to our Native American community. Other special events include partnerships with Wal-Mart and the One Economy Organization bringing a mobile no cost tax service vehicle to shopping centers, neighborhoods, and community centers throughout Fresno County.

Volunteer for VITA!

The VITA program is comprised of 200+ volunteers - all of whom learn valuable skills, such as tax preparation, customer service, data entry and more! They work with more than 30 community partners and help staff more than 20 VITA sites throughout Fresno and Tulare counties.

VITA volunteers enjoy a rewarding feeling of helping families and their community avoid paying tax preparation fees, thus families keep every dollar of their refunds. Best part, skills you learn from being a VITA volunteer can enhance your resume and employment potential. After completing the required training, all VITA volunteers are IRS certified. This position is open to high school/college students, individuals and corporate volunteers. Please check back in October 2013 for more information on how you can volunteer for the 2013 tax season.

2011 Results

During the 2011 tax season, VITA volunteers prepared 8,137 tax returns for area residents, returning more than $11.9 million to the community. Over $5.3 million in Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) was also refunded to local taxpayers. The IRS estimates that through the VITA/EITC Volunteer Program, tax payers in Fresno County saved over $425,000 in professional tax filing fees. In this economy saving families money and helping them keep every penny of their total refund is essential to building a financially stronger community.

What is Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)?

EITC is a tax credit to help you keep more of what you earned. When EITC exceeds the amount of taxes owed, it results in a tax refund to those who claim and qualify for the credit. To qualify, you must meet certain requirements and file a tax return, even if you do not owe any tax or are not required to file. The VITA Return Preparation AGI threshold amount for tax year 2012, is $50,000. The threshold is based on 2012 EITC AGI limits as shown below:

Earned Income and Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) must each be less than:

$43,998 ($49,078 married filing jointly) with three or more qualifying children
$40,964 ($46,044 married filing jointly) with two qualifying children
$36,052 ($41,132 married filing jointly) with one qualifying child
$13,660 ($18,740 married filing jointly) with no qualifying children

The maximum EITC for 2012:

$5,751 with three or more qualifying children
$5,112 wtih two qualifying children
$3,094 with one qualifying child
$464 with no qualifying children

What to bring with you when filing:

Social Security Card
If filing a joint return, spouse MUST be present
All W2's from jobs worked in 2012
1099 forms
Unemployment Benefit Forms
All IRS letters, if any
Student loan interest paid (if applicable)
Mortgage interest paid (if applicable)
If you plan to receive your refund via Direct Deposit, you will need your Bank Account and Routing numbers to process the refund.

How do I find out more?

Taxpayers who have questions about the VITA/EITC no-cost tax filing assistance, please dial 2-1-1 or if you would like to speak directly with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regarding your taxes, please call

1-800-829-1040.