Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)

VITA registration information

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program provides free tax preparation services to individuals and families. IRS Certified volunteers are trained to prepare your taxes for free as well as recognize when valuable credits are available to you.

VITA may be able to help put hard-earned money back into your pocket in the form of tax refunds and tax credits. The free service saves taxpayers the expense of professional tax preparation services, which average about $250. Most people who make less than $60,000 qualify.  Our VITA sites have trained volunteers who are eager to help you complete your 2023 federal, state and local tax returns for free. They will also help you determine if you are eligible to claim the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and help to get you the maximum refund possible.

In 2023, United Way of Lancaster County VITA Volunteers completed over 1,100 free state and federal tax returns. This created an impact of over $650,000 refunded and saved for our local residents.

WHO CAN QUALIFY FOR FREE TAX PREP?

You qualify to have your taxes prepared free of charge at our VITA locations if in 2023:

  • Your total household income was $60,000 or less

  • You do not receive active military pay

  • You are not practicing clergy

  • You did not have farm income

  • You did not have rental property income

  • You did not own a business

  • You did not have income from trading stocks or bonds

 

WHAT TO BRING TO YOUR APPOINTMENT:

  • Proof of identification—Picture ID

  • Social Security Cards for you, your spouse and dependents and/or a Social Security Number verification letter issued by the Social Security Administration

  • Birth dates for you, your spouse and dependents on the tax return

  • Wage and earning statement(s) Form W-2, W-2G, 1099-R, 1099-Misc from all employers

  • Interest and dividend statements from banks (Forms 1099)

  • A copy of last year’s federal and state returns, if available

  • Proof of bank account routing numbers and account numbers for Direct Deposit, such as a blank check

  • Total paid for daycare provider and the daycare provider’s tax identifying number if appropriate

 

NEW OPTION 2024: FREE ONLINE TAX PREPARATION- MyFreeTaxes.com

2024 brings a new online option for VITA’s free income tax preparation through MyFreeTaxes.com, also brought to you by United Way.  Individuals can complete their own returns on this site and have support lines and online chat options in case assistance is needed. This is a great option for those who can’t make it to an in-person appointment at one of the 2 Lancaster County locations, giving users the convenience of completing taxes online with the assistance they might need to ensure it is done correctly and in a way that accesses all the tax credits and deductions for which they qualify. 

 

2024 VITA SITES 

Lancaster County Library  313 S. White Street in Lancaster: Wednesdays 4-8, Thursdays 9-1, and the 2nd and 4th Saturdays 9-1

Del Webb Library 7641 Charlotte Hwy. in Indian Land: Thursdays 1-5, Fridays 9-1, and the 1st and 4th Saturday 9-1

Fort Lawn Comunity Center  5554 Main St in Fort Lawn: TBD

Click here to register online