CT VITA Directory: Find a Free Tax Prep Center In Your Neighborhood Today!

***LAST DAY TO FILE 2011 TAX RETURNS IS APRIL 17, 2012!***

What is VITA?
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program provides free income tax preparation to households earning less than $50,000 a year. IRS-certified volunteers prepare federal and state tax returns and screen customers for special tax credits, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), that can help them to make ends meet. Visiting a VITA free tax center instead of a paid tax preparer saves each filer an average of $150. Taxes can be filed electronically (e-filed), in which case refunds are usually received within 7-10 days.

Here in Connecticut, VITA free tax centers are often located at community centers, libraries, schools, and churches. In addition to getting your taxes prepared for free, some free tax centers can also help you to sign up for a free or low-cost bank account, free financial education classes, benefits screenings, and other free resources in your community that can help you to stretch your tax refund dollars even further. Ask a volunteer for information, or check out the links below to learn more!

Find a VITA free tax center near you!
VITA sites are located across Connecticut, and are open from late January through mid-April. Search this directory to find a site nearby. You can search by name, location, special cases, days of operation, languages, or dates. Some locations are by appointment only, while others accept walk-ins. We advise taxpayers to call the site first when possible to verify the hours of operation, as these are subject to change. Coming in 2013: You'll be able to use ctfreetaxhelp.org to make appointments online!

Having trouble finding a VITA tax center in your area? You can also call 2-1-1, the United Way Infoline and ask about free tax preparation to get help finding a location over the phone. If you're in the Greater Hartford area, 2-1-1 will even be able to make an appointment for you.

Who is Eligible for Free Tax Preparation at a VITA Center?
What Kinds of Tax Returns Can VITA Prepare?

Any household earning $50,000 or less annually is eligible to come to a VITA tax center and have their federal AND state tax returns prepared for FREE. (The total income of the entire household must be $50,000 or less).

All VITA tax center volunteers are trained to prepare basic tax returns with standard deductions and credits. Many volunteers have also taken additional training to handle more advanced returns including retirement income, small business/self-employment income (with limits - ask your volunteer), cancellation of debt/bankruptcy, heath savings accounts, military or international returns, and other situations.

However, no VITA tax center is certified to prepare returns dealing with significant losses (such as those resulting from a natural disaster), farm income or loss, self-employed health insurance deductions, self-employed SEP, SIMPLE, and qualified plans, business income over $10,000, or any income from businesses with employees (other than self) or inventory to claim. If you aren't sure, you may want to call ahead and ask the tax center you plan to visit if your return falls within the scope of the VITA program.

What to Bring to a VITA center

  • Valid photo ID
  • Social Security cards or Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITIN) for you, your spouse & any dependents living with you
  • Birth dates for you, your spouse & dependents
  • Documentation for all income from work, Social Security or pensions including forms W-2, 1099-R, etc.
  • Documentation of any mortgage expenses and/or interest paid in 2011
  • Documentation for any deductible education expenses & student loan payments from 2011
  • Interest & dividend statements from banks or other financial institutions, if any (Forms 1099)
  • Total $ paid for child care in 2011. Bring day care provider’s address and tax ID number (the provider’s Social Security or Employer Identification) to claim these expenses.
  • Copies of last year’s Federal & State income tax returns, if available
  • Current year’s tax package, if you received one
  • Voided check or checking account numbers if you want to have your refund direct deposited
  • NOTE: Both individuals should be present in the case of Joint filers

VITA Volunteers DO...

  • Prepare Federal Forms 1040EZ, 1040A, 1040 with Schedules A and B, and sometimes Schedule C (limits apply, check with your volunteer)
  • Prepare Connecticut State Tax Forms
  • Prepare only the tax returns for which they have been certified
  • Refer taxpayers with complicated returns or questions to an IRS publication, the IRS, or other professionals for assistance
  • Offer their services FREE of charge
  • Decline offers of payment

VITA Volunteers DO NOT...

  • Prepare complicated returns
  • Prepare business returns - with some exceptions (for self-employed people with limited expenses, no employees or inventory - ask your volunteer for details)
  • Answer technical questions for which they have not been trained
  • Refer taxpayer to any one particular practitioner or firm
  • Discriminate against or decline services any eligible taxpayer on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, language, or disability.
  • Accept any form of pay, tips, donations, or compensation for providing tax assistance or preparing tax returns.

Interested in becoming a volunteer with the VITA program? Visit http://ctvita.volunteerhub.com to sign up today! Note: We are no longer accepting new volunteers for the 2011-12 tax season, but please check back in fall 2012 to sign up for next year!

MAKE YOUR TAX REFUND COUNT THIS YEAR!

Maximize your tax refund this year by taking advantage of some of these free resources in your community! Whether you use your refund to save for the future, pay down debt, catch up on bills, or make that purchase you've been waiting for all year, the following resources can help you to reach your financial goals.

  • The Connecticut Money School provides free financial education classes for adults and seniors statewide. We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to become financially stable and successful. One way to achieve financial stability and success is through a better understanding of how to manage your money and assets, and how to plan for the future. Check out www.ctmoney.org to learn more or to sign up for a class today! Your local VITA center will also have information about financial education.
  • Bank On Connecticut is a partnership between nonprofit organizations and banks collaborating to offer individuals without bank accounts a way of learning about banking and opening a safe, low-or-no-cost, "starter" checking or savings account. Bank On CT partners provide monthly Basic Banking Orientations, which review important information about checking and savings accounts, including how to avoid financial traps by opening an affordable account. We believe everyone should have the opportunity to open an affordable bank account and build a more successful financial future. For more information or to sign up to become a Bank On CT member today, visit www.bankonCT.org. You may also be able to sign up at your VITA center.
  • For Bridgeport-area residents, the Financial Empowerment Center of Greater Bridgeport offers free benefits sceenings (for programs like SNAP/food stamps, health insurance, and childcare), one-on-one budget coaching, a matched savings account program (IDA), financial education classes, and more. For details, call 203-610-6226 or check out www.cahs.org/programs-bridgeportfes.asp.
  • For Hartford-area residents, the Financial Resource Center at Co-opportunity can help you to take control of your finances so that you can reach your financial goals. Offering benefits screenings, budget coaching, an Individual Development Account (IDA) savings program, and links to job programs and financial education. For details, call 860-236-3617.
  • Individual Development Accounts (IDAs) are special savings account programs offered at many community organizations across Connecticut. These programs offer a match for every dollar you save, helping you to accumulate savings more quickly so that you can purchase an asset such as a home, car, start a small business,and more. For details, visit http://www.ctdol.state.ct.us/ida/idahome.htm.
  • By dialing 2-1-1, the United Way's free information hotline for CT residents, you can also access information about all the services your community has to offer.

About The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
The EITC is widely regarded as the single most effective poverty-reduction program for working families in the United States. Working families earning less than $49,078 per year, depending on family size and marital status, may be eligible for the Federal and NEW State Earned Income Tax Credits (EITC), which can be worth up to a total of nearly $7,500. You can find out if your family might be eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit by visiting either www.irs.gov or www.ct.gov/drs/eitc.

Each year, over 150,000 Connecticut households in every rural, suburban, and urban community claim the EITC, bringing close to $300 million directly into the pockets of working people. Working families with children and incomes between $12,000 and $18,000 usually benefit the most, but any household earning less than $50,000 annually should ask about the credit.
The EITC can also provide the opportunity for a family to begin saving for the future, paying down debt, or investing in assets such as a home, small business, or higher education.

Special Cases

Select VITA free tax centers can help with special cases such as Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITINs - see more information below), self-employment income with basic business expenses, retiree with non social security income, cancellation of debt/foreclosure, health savings accounts, stock investments/sale of stocks, military, and international returns. Search the directory to find the nearest site dealing with these cases. If you aren't sure, call ahead to ensure the VITA center you plan to visit can assist you.

About Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers

(Informacion en Espanol: http://www.irs.gov/espanol/article/0,,id=98974,00.html )

What is an ITIN?
An Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) is a tax processing number issued by the Internal Revenue Service. It is a nine-digit number that always begins with the number 9. IRS issues ITINs to individuals who are required to have a U.S. taxpayer identification number but who do not have, and are not eligible to obtain a Social Security Number (SSN) from the Social Security Administration (SSA). IRS issues ITINs to foreign nationals and others who have federal tax reporting or filing requirements and do not qualify for SSNs. A non-resident alien individual not eligible for a SSN who is required to file a U.S. tax return only to claim a refund of tax under the provisions of a U.S. tax treaty needs an ITIN.

ITINs are issued regardless of immigration status because both resident and nonresident aliens may have a U.S. filing or reporting requirement under the Internal Revenue Code. Individuals must have a filing requirement and file a valid federal income tax return to receive an ITIN, unless they meet an exception.

What is an ITIN used for?
ITINs are for federal tax reporting only, and are not intended to serve any other purpose. IRS issues ITINs to help individuals comply with the U.S. tax laws, and to provide a means to efficiently process and account for tax returns and payments for those not eligible for Social Security Numbers (SSNs). An ITIN does not authorize work in the U.S. or provide eligibility for Social Security benefits or the Earned Income Tax Credit.

How do I apply for an ITIN?
Use the latest revision of Form W-7, Application for IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number to apply. Attach a valid federal income tax return, unless you qualify for an exception, and include your original, notarized, or certified proof of identity and foreign status documents.
Because you are filing your tax return as an attachment to your ITIN application, you should not mail your return to the address listed in the Form 1040, 1040A or 1040EZ instructions. Instead, send your return, Form W-7 and proof of identity and foreign status documents to:

Internal Revenue Service
Austin Service Center
ITIN Operation
P.O. Box 149342
Austin, TX 78714-9342

You may also apply using the services of an IRS-authorized Acceptance Agent or visit an IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center near you. See here for a list of Taxpayer Assistance Centers in CT: http://www.irs.gov/localcontacts/article/0,,id=98264,00.html

3 VITA tax centers in Connecticut are IRS-Authorized ITIN Acceptance Agents. These include Community Action Committee of Danbury, Danbury VITA, Inc., and CTE, Inc. (Stamford). You can find the contact information for these centers by searching the VITA directory.

Who We Are
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) is a nationwide program sponsored by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in partnership with state and local partners. For more general information, visit www.irs.gov.

The Connecticut Association for Human Services (CAHS) is one of the nonprofit partners sponsored by the IRS to organize VITA in Connecticut. In partnership with the IRS SPEC division, we work with local coalitions of VITA free tax centers in Greater New Haven, Bridgeport, Norwalk, Stamford, Danbury, Waterbury, and in the Lower Naugatuck Valley to support and organize free tax service / tax credit outreach campaigns in their communities. These coalitions include:

Greater Bridgeport-Norwalk Family Economic Security Coalition
Coalition for Working Families - New Haven
New Haven Economic Security Coalition
Lower Fairfield County Tax Preparation Coalition
Greater Danbury Tax Preparation Coalition
Lower Naugatuck Valley Community Coalition for Financial $ecurity
Greater Waterbury & Northwestern CT Tax Preparation Coalition

For more about CAHS or to contact us, please visit www.cahs.org.

Co-opportunity, Inc. in Hartford coordinates the VITA/EITC Campaign & Hartford Asset Building Collaborative in Greater Hartford and much of Tolland and Windham counties. For more about Co-opportunity, or to contact them, please visit www.co-opportunity.org.

THANKS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The CAHS VITA / EITC Outreach Campaign for 2011-12 is Made Possible Through the Generous Support of the Following Funders:
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Wells Fargo
Citibank
Webster Bank
The Meriden Foundation
United Illuminating
The Annie E. Casey Foundation

With additional support locally from the United Way of Coastal Fairfield County, United Way of Greater New Haven, and their funders, including Wal-Mart Foundation, Bank of America, Chase, and individual donors.

Also, our thanks to the many local nonprofit, public and business partners who help VITA by recruiting volunteers, spreading the word to customers, and so much more.

SPECIAL THANKS to Professors Chris Huntley and Ahmed Ebrahim of Fairfield University, who, along with their students, have made this free VITA Directory possible!