VOLUNTEER INCOME TAX ASSISTANCE
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. Over 260 volunteers help staff 33 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.
2011 Results
During the 2011 tax season, VITA volunteers completed an estimated 39,787 hours of service. At the State of California minimum wage, these hours represent over $338,186 dollars, These volunteers prepared 5,665 tax returns for area residents, returning more than $10.5 million to the community. The IRS estimates that through the VITA/EITC Volunteer Program, tax payers in Fresno County saved over $1.3 million 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 2011, is $50,000. The threshold is based on 2011 EITC AGI limits as shown below:
Earned Income and Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) must each be less than:
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$43,998 ($49,078 married filing jointly) with three or more qualifying children
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$40,964 ($46,044 married filing jointly) with two qualifying children
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$36,052 ($41,132 married filing jointly) with one qualifying child
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$13,660 ($18,740 married filing jointly) with no qualifying children
The maximum EITC for 2011:
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$5,751 with three or more qualifying children
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$5,112 wtih two qualifying children
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$3,094 with one qualifying child
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$464 with no qualifying children
How do I find out more?
When filing, please remember to bring your W-2's and all other necessary forms. If you plan to receive your refund via Direct Deposit, you will need your Bank Account and Routing numbers to process the refund.
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.
* For a complete list of VITA sites in your area, please click HERE.
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