Where Can I Get Tax Help?

Tax season is upon us, and it can be stressful and confusing for many.

For those with a low-to-moderate income, there is not usually the luxury of hiring an accountant or service to do your taxes for you to help ensure that you file your taxes correctly and on time or make sure that you get all of the benefits available to you.

You may be wondering if and where you can get help with filing your taxes, and how you can save money and avoid mistakes.

Fortunately, there is a free and reliable service that can assist you with your tax preparation and filing: the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.

What is Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)?

Vita is a nationwide IRS program that utilizes IRS-certified volunteers to provide free and accurate tax preparation services to those with low- to moderate-income.

This program has been instrumental in helping these individuals take advantage of valuable tax credits available to them which can make a significant positive impact on their lives.

VITA volunteers can help you navigate the complex rules that maximize refunds and will provide FREE tax preparation services for you that can help you and your family make ends meet. You will also learn more about Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC) through this program.

Fortunately, the VITA program is available to citizens of South Sarasota County, FL through the United Way of South Sarasota County, a nonprofit organization that works to improve the lives of people in the community.

The United Way of South Sarasota County partners with local organizations and businesses to host VITA sites where you can get free tax help from trained volunteers as part of the Financial Stability Program.

Our 2024 locations will be open and operating starting February 1st through April 13th.

Who is Eligible for VITA?

If you are an individual or family living in South Sarasota County who has earned $74,000 or less in 2023, then you are eligible to receive tax help through VITA.

You will need to schedule an appointment and come prepared with the required documentation, intake sheet, and direct deposit information.

Documents that you will need are:

A copy of last year’s tax return
Taxpayer’s valid government issued photo ID
Social Security cards and/or ITIN notices / cards for you, your spouse and dependents
All forms: W-2, 1098, and 1099 that you have
Information for other income
Identification number for child care providers
Information for deductions/credits
Proof of account for direct deposit or refund (this can be a voided check or letter from the bank).
You will also need an Intake Sheet, which you can get here: Intake/Interview Sheet

You can learn more about what to bring and how to get the items you need on the UWSSC website: United Way of South Sarasota County: VITA

How Can VITA Benefit Me?

Getting tax help from the VITA program can benefit you in many ways.

You can save money by avoiding fees and interest charges that some tax preparers may charge. You can also get your refund faster by filing electronically and choosing direct deposit, which the VITA program will help you do.

Finally, you can have peace of mind knowing that:

your taxes are done correctly and for free
you are getting all the credits and deductions that you are eligible for which you may not have otherwise known about
you won’t have errors in your paperwork that you might have to pay for later

The VITA program is a great resource for anyone who needs help with their taxes. It is free, convenient, and reliable. You can get your taxes done by professionals who care about you and your community, while learning more about your tax situation and how to improve your financial well-being.

There really is no reason NOT to use VITA if you qualify.

Ready to schedule your appointment?

You can find a VITA site near you and schedule your appointment today by visiting the United Way of South Sarasota County website: United Way of South Sarasota County: VITA