About VITA:
Free Tax Return Preparation Program
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offers free tax help to people who generally make $60,000 or less, persons with disabilities, 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.
Volunteers are trained and certified to offer free basic tax return preparation to qualified individuals. The VITA program has operated for over 50 years.
Local United Ways across Central Texas partner with certified volunteers to provide the VITA program in our region.
Who qualifies for free help:
Anyone with income generally $60,000 or less
Volunteers reserve the right to not offer free help for out-of-scope issues. This is determined during the review of documents.
*Note: Available services can vary at each site due to the availability of volunteers certified with the tax law expertise required for your return.
Want to file on your own?
If you are comfortable using a computer and would like to prepare your own taxes without paying for the software, we recommend using MyFreeTaxes.com. It’s fast, easy, and free if you make under $66,000 annually. Click here to get started!
What To Bring
Before going to a VITA site, ensure you have all the required documents and information our volunteers will need to help you.
Face masks are encouraged.
REQUIRED
- Photo ID for taxpayer (and spouse if married filing joint return) both spouses must be present
- Social Security card and/or ITIN cards and birth dates for taxpayer, spouse and all dependents listed on the return
- Copy of all income statements: W-2 and 1099, Social Security Benefits Statement and/or other sources of income
- Form 1095-A (health insurance statements) (if you bought your health insurance through the Marketplace)
- Amount of third Economic Stimulus Payment received, if any
- Total amount of “Advanced Child Tax Credit” received in 2021
- For direct deposit or direct debit if you owe, bring a copy of a voided check
IF APPLICABLE
- Information for all deductions/credits
- W-2s
- Total paid to day care provider and their tax ID number (provide statement if available)
- Form 1098-T and other out-of-pocket education expenses by student
- Copy of last year’s return (if you filed). Important if you received or qualify for Earned Income Credit.
- Are you self-employed? If possible, print and complete this form before appointment:
- Do you itemize expenses? If possible, print and complete this form before appointment:
FAQs
Is this service really free?
YES. You will not be charged a fee for preparing or filing your return, and you will not be offered any refund anticipation loans in exchange for this service. We will not ask you for payment or a donation. You will not be asked to purchase anything.
Do I need an appointment?
You don’t need to make an appointment. You will be helped on a first come, first served basis. We suggest you arrive as close to the site’s opening time as possible for the best chance of getting served quickly. Those who arrive later may have to wait for an available tax preparer or may not be able to see a volunteer on that day.
What do I need to bring?
Click here for a checklist of materials you will need to bring with you in order to complete your return.
Who will complete my return?
All sites are staffed by IRS-certified volunteers and a site manager. Volunteers are required to complete 16 hours of training and become certified prior to completing returns. All returns undergo a quality review check for accuracy prior to being filed. Many of our volunteers have been with the VITA program for many years.
Will my personal information be confidential?
YES. Your written information will be returned to you and any electronic information is held on encrypted, password protected computers for the duration of the program, then deleted. All required documents will be forwarded only to the IRS.
How long will it take to receive my refund?
If you file electronically and choose to have your refund deposited directly into your checking or savings account, you can expect your refund to take 7 to 14 days. If you decide to have a check mailed to you, it will take longer. If you have not received it within 30 days, please call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040.
Check the status of your refund online at Where’s My Refund?
Can I receive my refund by direct deposit?
YES. If you are eligible for a refund, you can arrange to have your refund deposited directly into your account. Bring a check with the printed routing and account numbers and name of your financial institution. Your tax preparer will need that information at the time your return is filed.
Can I receive my refund by US mail instead of direct deposit?
YES. If you are eligible for a refund, your volunteer will ask you for your current mailing address so that you can receive your check through the US Postal Service.
Can VITA and/or Tax-Aide sites help me set up a payment plan?
YES. If you owe additional taxes and are unable to pay that amount with your return, your preparer can provide direction with payment options including how to request an installment agreement with the IRS.
Locations
IRS-certified volunteers will provide tax help for qualified households at these locations.
Have questions? Call 2-1-1.
Hutto
Hutto Library
500 W. Live Oak Street
Hutto, TX, 78634
January 26 – April 13
Thursdays, 11 am – 4 pm
Liberty Hill
Operation Liberty Hill
1401 US-183 Hwy
Leander, TX 78641
January 26 – April 15
Thursdays and Saturdays
10:00am – 2:30pm
Round Rock
St. John Vianney Catholic Church, Bosco House
3201 Sunrise Road
Round Rock, TX 78665
January 24 – April 18
Tuesdays, 12:30 pm – 5:30 pm
Thursdays, 12:30 pm – 5:30 pm
Saturdays, 9:30 am – 2:30 pm
*Closed April 1-9 in observance of Holy Week
Taylor
Taylor Public Library
801 Vance Street
Taylor, TX 76574
January 28 – April 15
Saturdays, 11:30 am – 3:30 pm
AARP Tax-Aide Locations
By appointment only. No walk-ins accepted.
Schedule an appointment online at taxaide.aarpfoundation.org.
Have questions? Call 2-1-1.
Cedar Park
Recreation Center
1435 Main Street
Cedar Park, TX 78613
February 14 – April 13
Tuesdays, 11 am – 4 pm
Thursdays, 11 am – 4 pm
Georgetown
Georgetown Public Library
402 W. 8th Street
Georgetown, TX 78626
February 1 – April 15
Tuesdays, 12:30 pm – 4 pm
Thursdays, 12:30 pm – 4 pm
Saturdays, 9:30 am – 1 pm
Sun City Cowan Creek Community Center
1433 Cool Spring Way
Georgetown, TX 78663
February 3 – April 15
Fridays, 8:30 am – 3:30 pm
Leander
Leander Public Library
1011 S. Bagdad Road
Leander, TX 78641
February 4 – April 15
Mondays, 11 am – 4 pm
Wednesdays, 11 am – 4 pm
Round Rock
Allen Baca Senior Center
301 W. Bagdad Ave
Round Rock, TX 78664
February 2 – April 18
Mondays, 10 am – 2 pm
Wednesdays, 10 am – 2 pm
Pflugerville
Travis County Community Center at Pflugerville
15822 Foothill Farms Loop
Pflugerville, TX 78660
February 7 – April 18
Tuesdays, 12 pm – 3:45 pm
Foundation Communities Prosper Center Tax Sites
By appointment only. No walk-ins accepted.
Schedule an appointment online at prospertaxhelp.org or dial 2-1-1.
Have questions? Call 2-1-1.
Austin
Wells Branch Recreation Center
3000 Shoreline Dr. Austin, TX 78728
January 30 – April 18
Round Rock
Round Rock Area Serving Center
1099 E Main St., Round Rock, TX 78664
January 23 – April 18