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

 

 

You may qualify for California's Earned Income Tax Credit!

The California Earned Income Tax Credit is a cashback tax credit that puts money back in the pocket of hardworking Californians. ITIN holders are now eligible for this credit!

Get up to $8,000 back on your taxes! 

Click here to learn more

Want to know if you qualify for federal or state benefits?

Visit app.benefitkitchen.com to find out!

Have kids under six years old? Get an extra $1,000.

The Young Child Tax Credit kicks in with the first dollar you make. ITIN holders are now eligible for this credit!

Click here to learn more about YCTC

You may be eligible for the California Foster Youth Tax Credit!

The 2022-23 state budget includes around $20 million in ongoing funding to establish the California Foster Youth Tax Credit (FYTC), a refundable tax credit that aims to boost the income of and reduce poverty among current and former foster youth. Effective January 1, 2022 and beginning during the 2023 tax season, eligible youth who file their California state tax return and claim the FYTC will receive the credit.

Who is eligible for Foster Youth Tax Credit?
Current and former foster youth who file their state tax return and meet the following criteria are eligible for the FYTC:
• Are aged 18 through 25 at the end of the tax year;
• Were in care on or after their 13th birthday; and
• Are eligible for the CalEITC: Have an income of at least $1 and less than
$30,000); Have a Social Security Number or Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN), and Live in California for more than half of the tax year.

How can youth file their taxes for free and receive tax credits they are eligible for?

Free filing is available at a local Volunteer Income Tax Assistance site or by self-filing. Learn more about tax
filing and credits from JBAY’s guide, checklist, and fact sheet on the benefits of tax filing here.

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