Services at each site can vary based on the availability of volunteers certified in tax law.

Publication 3676-B lists what tax returns VITA/TCE site volunteers will and will not prepare.

They CAN prepare basic federal tax returns that include:

• • Wages, salaries, etc. (Form W-2)
  • Interest and Dividend Income (Form 1099-INT and 1099-DIV)
  • State Tax Refunds and Unemployment Benefits (Form 1099-G)
  • IRA and Pension distributions (Form 1099-R)
  • Social Security Benefits (Form SSA-1099)
  • Self-Employed Income (Forms 1099-MISC, 1099-NEC, and 1099-K)
  • Gambling winnings (Form W-2G)
  • Education Credits (Form 1098-T)
  • Child Tax and Earned Income credits.

 They CAN’T prepare complicated tax returns that can include:

• • Schedule C with loss, depreciation, or business use of home
  • Complicated Schedule D
  • Form SS-5 (Request for a Social Security Number)
  • Form W-7 (Application for Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN))
  • Form 8606 (non-deductible IRA)
  • Form SS-8 (Determination of worker status)
  • Returns with casualty/disaster losses.

• If filing married, both spouses must be present.
• Government issued photo identification (for each spouse, if married).
• Social Security Card(s) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number documents for you, your spouse, and your children.
• Birth dates for you, your spouse, and your children.
• A copy of your last year’s tax return.
• All Forms W-2 and 1099.
• Forms 1095-A, B, or C (Affordable Care Act) documents.
• Information for deductions, like charitable contributions.
• Bank account and routing numbers for direct deposit refunds.

Publication 3676-B and the Checklist for Free Tax Return Preparation lists what to bring when you visit a VITA/TCE site.

Some VITA sites offer Certifying Acceptance Agent (CAA) services when you’re applying for an IRS ITIN. Contact CAA services to locate a VITA partner to schedule an appointment.

Find a VITA or TCE site nearest to you.

VITA sites are generally located within your community like a library, school, store, or other convenient location across the country.

To locate a VITA site near you:

• Use the VITA Locator Tool, or
• Call 800-906-9887.

The majority of TCE sites are operated by the AARP Foundation’s Tax Aide Program.

To locate a TCE Tax Aide site near you between January and April:

• Use the AARP Site Locator Tool, or
• Call 888-227-7669.

VITA and TCE programs offer free e-filing. Filing electronically may help you receive your tax refund faster. It also helps ensure your tax return is accurate by verifying Social Security numbers, names, birth dates, and checking the math.

Some of the VITA/TCE tax sites offer free e-filing.

Taxpayers have the option to prepare their own basic federal and state tax returns for free using web-based software provided at the location.

• This option is only available if the location shows “Self-Prep” in the online site listing.
• You must bring the information needed to file your tax return.
• An IRS certified volunteer can help guide you through the process.

NOTE: Site locator tools are updated regularly from February through April.

• Tax filing related resources for military members and families
• TAS assists victims of VITA Site Preparer Fraud
• Filing Season Resources
• Free Tax Return Preparation for Qualifying Taxpayers
• Get Free Tax Prep Help: Find a VITA or TCE site
• Checklist for Free Tax Return Preparation
• AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Locator