vita

2021 VITA INFORMATION

We ARE updating this page ROUTINELY with new VITA information considering the COVID-19 guidelines.

VITA Offers Free Person To Person Tax Help OR VIRTUAL

Did you earn less than $57,000 last year? 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. 

Why VITA

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. DIAL 211 TO MAKE YOUR APPOINTMENT.

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.

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

Qualify for Free Tax Help?

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.

VITA SITES for 2021

Dial 211 to make appointments (available sites)- (More to come)

• Calcasieu Parish Police Jury - 2000 Moeling Street, Lake Charles, LA 70601 (Drop Off/Pickup Only)-Virtual

Monday and Thursday

• Calcasieu Parish Police Jury - 2000 Moeling Street, Lake Charles, LA 70601 (Face to Face) 

Tuesday and Wednesday

• Beauregard Parish Central Library - 205 S Washington Street, DeRidder, LA 70634
• Assist Agency, Inc. - 107 E Nezpique Street, Jennings, LA 70546
• Sulphur Regional Library (Calcasieu Parish Public Library) - 1160 Cypress Street, Sulphur, LA 70663
• American Legion Post 1- 1530 9th Street, Lake Charles, LA 70601

All appointments, including virtual, are made by DIALING 211

What should I bring with me?

• Photo ID (both spouses, if joint return)
• Social Security Card or ITIN for each person to be claimed 
• W2, 1099 form, 1098 form, and/or social security income statements for all income
• End of the year retirement plan statements (401K, IRA, etc.)
• Child care provider name, address and tax ID number
• Record of expenses (child care, education, medical, dental, etc.)
• For direct deposit, a blank check with an account and routing number
• Homeowners: Hazard Insurance Declaration page for LA Citizens Credit
• Last year's tax return, if you have it
• Receipts for charitable donations, business expenses, etc.
• 1095a Health Insurance Marketplace Statements if you have them

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

Volunteers needed for VITA

United Way of Southwest Louisiana is recruiting volunteers to help hard-working individuals and families in our community with their income tax preparation. The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program provides free tax help to qualifying residents of Southwest Louisiana. 

The training sessions will include information on Link and Learn and training on TaxSlayer, the program used by the volunteer tax preparers to file clients' tax returns for free. No experience is necessary. Training will be given by an IRS-certified instructor and all materials are provided.