TAX ASSISTANCE

VOLUNTEER INCOME TAX ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (VITA)

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The VITA program is a free tax preparation service for local Santa Barbara County residents who make $67,000 or less a year. Tax returns are prepared and electronically filed by IRS-certified volunteers for qualified individuals or families. Tax preparation will take place from February - April,  2023.

Volunteers will see between 20-25 clients a day depending on volunteer availability. We serve clients on a first come first serve basis. We will stop accepting clients 30 minutes before closing.

For more information on eligibility, filing, or participation in the program, please view the information below. 

 

Interested in volunteering as a tax preparer, reviewer, or greeter? Click Here

Are you a UCSB student interested in volunteering? Click Here

Solvang and Santa Ynez volunteers Click Here

 

ELIGIBILITY
  • You must have a 2021 household income of $67,000 or less.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS LIST
  • Copy of prior year federal and state tax returns for years to be done: ( 2019 for 2020, 2020 for 2021)
  • Copy of photo ID and spouse's if filing jointly (driver's license of passport)
  • Copy of social security cards or Individual Taxpayer ID Numbers (ITIN) for each family member
  • For married filing jointly, both spouses must be present to review tax return and sign return
  • For all jobs W-2's, 1099's, 1098's for all years tax returns to be done
  • IRS letter 6419 "Advanced Child Tax Credits", if received during the later part of 2021
  • IRS letter 6475 "Third Economic Impact Payment" and other payments received from IRS (2020 & 2021) and California Franchise Tax Board 2021
  • Copy of voided check if direct deposit or refund requested
  • Bank routing and account numbers (if using direct deposit)
  • All forms for 1095 Health Insurance statements
  • Bring a pen
INSTRUCTIONS
  • Check the website for the most up to date schedule of VITA sites. Site hours are subject to change. 
  • Make sure you have all of the required documents listed. 
COVID-19 GUIDELINES AT DROP OFF LOCATIONS 
  • Masks are required at ALL times.
  • When standing in line, please maintain a 6 foot distance from others. 

 


 

AVAILABLE SITES AND INFORMATION:

United Way of Santa Barbara County 

320 East Gutierrez Street, Santa Barbara CA 93101

Days of Operation:

  • Tuesdays & Wednesdays 1:00pm - 4:00pm
  • Until April 26th
  • AARP

Goleta Valley Community Center 

5679 Hollister Avenue, Goleta CA 93117

Days of Operation:

  • Fridays 9am - 12pm, 1pm - 4pm
  • Until April 28th
  • AARP

 

Eastside Library

1102 E. Montecito Street, Santa Barbara CA 93103

Days of Operation:

  • Thursdays 3pm-7pm
    • Until May 18th

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance 

IRS-certified volunteers provide free basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals.

Current Volunteer Opportunities: 

Tax Preparers  |  Tax Reviewers  | Greeters

Click here to view available positions and additional volunteer information.

 

Self-paced online trainings available or virtual trainings are scheduled for the following days:

  • Saturday, January 7, 2023 | 9:30AM - 2:00PM
  • Saturday, January 14, 2023 | 9:30AM - 2:00PM
  • Saturday, January 21, 2023 | 9:30AM - 2:00PM
  • Saturday, January 28, 2022 | 9:30AM - 2:00PM
For questions, please contact Yoseline Gonzalez at ygonzalez@unitedwaysb.org or (805) 965-8594. 

 

Self-filing is a good option for tax filers who are filing a current year tax return (2021), are comfortable using online tax software and want to learn how to file on their own, and who have earned less than $73,000 in 2021. 

The purpose of this guide is to walk you through the process of filing your taxes from beginning to end with free tax filing software provided by MyFreeTaxes.org. A video tutorial is also available here (a video version in ASL is available here).

Click here for the complete guide for self-filing.

 

For any special accommodations and or questions about the program, please email: ygonzalez@unitedwaysb.org