Washington News

On March 3, 2020, the Service published a Tax Time Guide letter to explain how taxpayers can receive free assistance with filing their income tax returns. There are 11,000 volunteer locations nationwide. During 2019, volunteers helped over 3.5 million taxpayers prepare their returns.

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offers assistance for taxpayers who make $56,000 or less, elderly individuals, those with disabilities or a person with limited English proficiency. The Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) program is similar in operation and will assist individuals age 60 or older. The volunteers for these centers receive training in tax preparation and learn about tax credits that are most frequently applicable, including the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Child Tax Credit (CTC).

The EITC is an important credit for workers who earned $55,952 or less in 2019. The EITC transferred $61 billion to taxpayers in 2019. The average EITC amount was $2,504. A maximum amount for a family with children could be $6,557.

To locate a VITA or TCE site, use the tool available on IRS.gov. You may also find a location on the IRS2GO app or by calling 800–906–9887. Select locations also have assistance available in languages such as Chinese, Mandarin, Hindi, Korean, Russian, Spanish, Tagalong and Vietnamese.

There are multiple items that a taxpayer must bring to obtain assistance at one of the volunteer locations:

• Proof of identification with a photo ID
• Social Security cards or an Individual Taxpayer Indentification Number for the taxpayer, spouse and dependents
• Proof of foreign status, if applicable
• Birthdates for the taxpayer, spouse and dependents
• Wage and earnings statements, such as Form W–2, Form 1099–R or Form 1099–MISC
• Interest and dividend statements from banks
• A copy of 2018 federal and state tax returns
• A blank check to prove bank account routing and account numbers
• If filing a joint return electronically, both spouses must be present
• If the taxpayers has used day care services, the provider's tax ID number, such as a Social Security number or a business Employer Identification Number
• Form 1095–A Health Insurance Marketplace Statement to reconcile any advance payments of the Premium Tax Credit