Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Free Tax Preparation
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 $60,000; 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.
FREE VITA SUMMER TAX PREPARATION BY APPOINTMENT ONLY
VITA volunteers will be available by appointment only at Agape Family Life Center in Jasper County (5855 S Okatie Hwy, Hardeeville, SC 29927) from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the following Saturdays:
- May 20, 2023
- June 17, 2023
- July 15, 2023
- August 19, 2023
- September 16, 202
Reservations/Appointments Are Required
Call 843.784.6008 to reserve your spot or for more information.
In-person and virtual options are available.
Please complete this FORM prior to your appointment.
Below is a complete list of items to bring to your appointment.
What to Bring to Your Appointment
Please bring the following items to the VITA site to make it easier to prepare your return:
- Last year’s Federal Income Tax Return (2020 and 2021 income tax returns)
- Social Security Cards for you, your spouse (if married), and all dependents
- Correct birth dates for all names that appear on the return
- All W-2’s for 2022, including spouses
- Form 1098 – Mortgage interest, property taxes
- Form 1099 – DIV, G, INT, MISC, Q, R, RRB, SSA for 2022
- Voided check and savings account number for direct deposit of your refund (Optional, but it gets your cash to you fast)
- A Photo ID card (driver’s license, etc.), including spouse’s, if married and filing joint returns
- For Dependent Care Credit, bring care provider’s name, address, SSN/EIN, and amount you paid
- For Education Credit, bring 1098T or 1098E and amount paid for qualified expenses
- For Premium Tax Credit, bring 1095-A (Health Marketplace Statement)
- Letter 6475 – 2022 Economic Impact Payment
- Letter 6419 – Child Tax Credit Payments
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.
Click the image above to download an IRS flyer on what tax forms to bring along in English/Spanish.
Child Tax Credit Information
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.
VITA Volunteers Needed
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.
