Free Tax Help FAQs

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Where should I go to get free tax help?
Who qualifies for help?
What should I bring?
Do I need an appointment?
What is a VITA site?
What tax forms do VITA sites prepare?
What tax forms do VITA sites not prepare?

Where should I go to get free tax help?

The Earn It! Keep It! Save It! sites listed below open at different times and dates vary from late January through April. (Note that the IRS does not permit any preparer — free or paid — to transmit returns before Jan. 30.) Call 211 or 214.978.0081 for the Earn It! Keep It! Save It! location closest to you.

Before you go to a site, please call first to confirm the dates and times and to make an appointment, if required. (If you live outside the Dallas area, try your local 211 or the national IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance help line, 800.906.9887. United Way of Tarrant County has information about free tax help in Tarrant County.)

Map of United Way free tax help sites

DALLAS
1. North Dallas Shared Ministries 2875 Merrell Rd., 75229 2:00-7:30 p.m. Tue.-Fri. 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Sat. Open Jan. 19 – Apr. 15, 2013 Site open until Oct. 15, 2013 by appointment only	4. Iglesia de Jesucristo Palabra Miel 2835 Peavy Rd., 75228 6:00-8:30 p.m. Mon.-Thu. 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Sat. Open Jan. 26 – Apr. 15, 2013
2. Habitat for Humanity 2800 N. Hampton Rd., Dallas 75212 1:00-7:30 p.m. Tue.-Fri. 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Sat. Open Jan. 8 – Apr. 15, 2013 Site open until Oct. 15, 2013 by appointment only	5. Dallas Urban League 4315 S. Lancaster Rd., Dallas 75216 5:00-8:00 p.m. Mon.-Thu. 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Sat. Open Jan. 26 – Apr. 15, 2013
3. St. Luke "Community" United Methodist Church 5710 E. R. L. Thornton Fwy., 75223 12:30-7:30 p.m. Mon.-Thu. 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Sat. Open Jan. 14 – Apr. 15, 2013	6. University of North Texas at Dallas 7300 University Hills Blvd., 75241 3:00-6:30 p.m. Tue.-Fri. 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Sat. Open Jan. 29 – Apr. 15, 2013
LEWISVILLE
7. Christian Community Action 2202 S. Hwy. 121, 75067 1:00-6:30 p.m. Mon.-Fri. 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Sat. Open Feb. 2 – Mar. 2, 2013

Who qualifies for help?

For the 2013 tax season, free tax preparation is available to families and individuals with a combined household 2012 annual adjusted gross income (AGI) under $50,270.

The Earned Income Credit (EIC) guidelines allow households with up to three children to qualify for the EIC.

To learn more about the EIC, read the Citi Community Development publication "Money Matters" (PDF).

What should I bring?

Printed out and completed IRS-required intake form (PDF)
Proof of identification
One or more of the following
- Social Security Cards for you, your spouse and dependents
- Social Security Number verification letter issued by the Social Security Administration
- Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) numbers
Birth dates for you, your spouse and dependents on the tax return
Wage and earning statement(s) from all employers Forms W-2, W-2G and 1099-R
Interest and dividend statements from banks Forms 1099 (note: If you received a form 1099-MISC, we will only deduct expenses up to $5,000, including mileage)
A copy of last year's Federal return, if available
Voided check, if you want to direct deposit your refund
If you paid for child care, the total paid and the day care provider's tax identifying number (the provider's Social Security Number or the provider's business Employer Identification Number)
Form 1098-T from your school, if you paid for tuition
Your spouse, if you wish to file taxes electronically on a married filing joint tax return; both spouses must be present to sign the required forms

Do I need an appointment?

Some Earn It! Keep It! Save It! sites offer appointments, others do not. Call 214.978.0081 to see if you will need to make an appointment at the tax site closest to you.

What is a VITA site?

A Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site is a program of the IRS managed by not-for-profit agencies that provides free tax preparation and e-filing services for low- to moderate-income families. The program is made possible through volunteers that are trained and certified by the IRS.

What tax forms do VITA sites prepare?

Form 1040 EZ
Form 1040 A (with Schedules 1, 2, 3 & EIC)
Form 1040 (with Schedules A, B, EIC & R)
Form 1040-V
Form 1040-ES
Form 2441 (Child and Dependent Care Credit)
Form 8863 (Education Credits)
Form 8812 (Additional Child Tax Credit)
Schedule C (Profit or Loss from Business, expenses under $10,000)

What tax forms do VITA sites not prepare?

Complicated & Advanced Schedule D (Capital Gains and Losses)
Schedule E (Rents & Losses)
Form SS-5 (Request for Social Security Number)
Form 2106 (Employee Business Expenses)
Form 3903 (Moving)
Form 8606 (Nondeductible IRA)
Form 8615 (Minor's Investment Income)