VITA

VITA Volunteer Income Tax Assistance

VITA logo

People in great need often file early - and at great expense - through commercial tax preparation services that charge large fees. We want to spread the word that FREE tax help is available. By filing returns at local VITA sites people receive 100% of their refund. IRS-trained volunteers can help you find special tax credits. 

IRS-certified volunteers who provide tax counseling are often retired individuals associated with non-profit organizations that receive grants from the IRS. Taxpayers who come to free tax preparation sites can find out about programs that will help them leverage their refunds toward the financial success of their families. These asset-building programs provide financial education, homebuyer's education, down payment assistance and low-interest car loans.

Your taxes will be processed using a secure software program provided directly from the IRS to United Way of Southwest Louisiana's VITA Initiative. 

RESOURCES FOR EMPLOYERS

Tax help for your employees is one more way United Way of Southwest Louisiana works together with you!

Your employees may qualify to receive free tax preparation and filing through our VITA Initiative.

IDEAS  FOR YOUR WORKPLACE

  • Run MyFreeTaxes in a computer lab at your worksite to assist your employees in filing for free
  • Allow United Way of Southwest Louisiana to train some of your employees so they can be IRS-Certified preparers and volunteer at one of our sites. 
  • Share a link on your intranet or in your employee newsletter when our schedule is ready so your employees can make an appointment
  • Distribute flyers and posters in your workplace or at meetings - we can even customize materials for you
  • Include flyers in payroll or W-2 mailings or share via email if yours are digital
  • Host a tax prep site at your workplace to. make it easy for employees to get taxes prepared for free!

Water bill flyers have been sent to all Calcasieu Parish water & sewer customers. If your parish or utility would like to participate, contact VITA today.

VITA CAN'T EXIST WITHOUT VOLUNTEERS

VITA cannot exist without volunteers trained by United Way of Southwest Louisiana in partnership with the IRS. Each year we rely on local individuals who volunteer at multiple sites across our five-parish footprint.

We are always looking for people who would like to prepare tax returns, answer the phones or to be greeters.

Our volunteers are from all types of backgrounds and professions. You do not have to be an accountant to be a successful VITA volunteer. Our training and easy-to-use IRS software will prepare you successfully to help others with their taxes.

Our volunteers are offered a no-cost, comprehensive training program that consists of in-class instruction and self-paced study. The training will prepare you to take the IRS-Certification test.

Being IRS-Certified is a great resume builder!

Click here to learn about volunteering.

VITA OFFERS FREE PERSON-TO-PERSON TAX HELP

Our VITA program offers free tax help to individuals, families, persons with disabilities, the elderly and limited English speaking taxpayers who need assistance in preparing their own tax returns. IRS-certified volunteers provide free basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals. 

If you qualify for free tax help, you may also qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit.

EITC, THE EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT, SOMETIMES CALLED EIC OR EARNED INCOME CREDIT IS A REFUNDABLE TAX CREDIT. EITC CAN REDUCE THE FEDERAL TAX TO ZERO AND ANY UNUSED CREDIT IS REFUNDED.

EITC provides a boost to workers, their families and the communities where they live. It helps with food, gas, clothing, saving for a rainy day and more.

To qualify, workers must have taxable income from working for someone or from running a business or farm. Four out of five eligible workers already benefit from the EITC. Yet some people who qualify don't know it exists, or how to claim it.

MYFREETAXES.COM - FILE FOR FREE ONLINE

United Way has partnered with H&R Block to offer their premium online tax prep service, for free, to households of any income level who are filing simple returns (no schedule C, D, or E). Click here to get started.

WHY USE MYFREETAXES.COM?

  • Households of any income level can file their simple returns for free

  • It’s H&R Block’s Premium tax prep product, 100% accuracy guaranteed

  • Free federal and state filing (up to 3 states) are included

  • More forms are included than with any other free product

  • You can file easily either on desktop or mobile

  • Life is short, and you shouldn’t have to pay to file your taxes

INTERNS and VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR VITA

WHAT SHOULD I BRING WITH ME?

  • Current Photo ID (both spouses, if joint return)

  • Social Security Card or ITIN for each family member to be claimed on the tax return

    • Can substitute with a Social Security Income Statement(s)

  • All forms of income from 2023 (W2, 1099-NEC, 1099-MISC or 1098)

  • End-of-the-year retirement plan statements (401K, IRA, etc.)

  • Childcare provider name, address and tax ID number

  • Record of expenses (child care, education, medical, dental, etc.)

  • Receipts for charitable donations, business expenses, etc.

  • Health Insurance Marketplace Statement (1095a) if applicable

  • Banking Information for direct deposit (voided check  or routing and checking account numbers)

  • Last year's tax return, if available

My Free Taxes