United Way of the Lowcountry partners with the Beaufort County Human Services Alliance and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to provide FREE, confidential, and secure preparation and e-filing of tax returns to qualified taxpayers through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.
Staffed by local volunteers, VITA prepares and files income tax returns for individuals and families with incomes under $63,398; non-English speaking taxpayers; individuals with disabilities; and persons 60 years of age and older. Continue reading below for information on how to find a VITA tax help location near you and schedule an appointment, download pre-appointment documents and a list of records to bring to your appointment.
NEW THIS YEAR: VIRTUAL TAX PREP! Did VITA of the Lowcountry prepare your tax return last year but you don’t want to wait in line this year? Are your tech savvy? If so, for more information email: virtualvitalc@gmail.com
Click one of the flyer images below to download a PDF of VITA Tax Preparation sites in English or Spanish.
PLEASE NOTE: Interpreter services are available at all sites. Walk-ins are first come, first served. The last tax return is started at least one hour prior to closing at all sites.
Please bring the following items to the VITA site to make it easier to prepare your return:
If married and filing a joint return, both spouses must come to the VITA site.
VITA volunteers will NOT prepare Schedule D (Complex), Schedule E, Employee Business Expenses, Moving Expenses, Nondeductible IRA
Click HERE or on the image on the right to download an IRS fact sheet (English/Spanish) on what tax forms VITA will and will not prepare as well as what documents to bring with you.
Eligible families will receive advance Child Tax Credit payments of up to $300 for each child younger than age 6 and up to $250 for each qualifying child ages six to 17. Watch an IRS video to learn more.
You may also opt out of the Advanced Child Tax Credit payments. Visit the portal here, which is now live.
The key factor for VITA’s success is its volunteers. United Way provides free training, and all VITA sites are staffed with IRS Certified VITA Volunteers to prepare tax returns in the program.
We need the support of the community in spreading the word of this free tax preparation service.
In addition to traditional face-to-face tax preparation, Lowcountry residents have the option of filing a simple return through MyFreeTaxes, a secure and free site.
Click HERE for more information.
Please click HERE if you are interested in becoming a VITA volunteer.