Santa Clara County Introduces Free Tax Assistance Program

From the Santa Clara County Office of Public Affairs:

The County of Santa Clara is encouraging low income, elderly, disabled and limited-English-speaking taxpayers who might need help in preparing their tax returns to take advantage of VITA, the free, nationwide Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program coordinated by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). VITA is available at county libraries in Campbell, Cupertino and Milpitas as well as the Santa Clara County Social Services Agency CalWORKs Employment Connection Center.

The IRS, United Way Silicon Valley, 2-1-1 Santa Clara County, the County of Santa Clara, churches, nonprofits and other local organizations are working together to offer more than 40 VITA tax assistance sites throughout Santa Clara County. Trained IRS-certified volunteers will provide assistance in preparing basic forms (1040EZ, 1040A, 1040 with Schedule A, B, Limited Schedule CEZ, C and California state income tax returns) in multiple languages and facilitate e-filing or paper returns.

Taxpayers must be working U.S. Citizens or permanent residents with a valid Social Security or ITIN number and a combined household income of less than $54,000 in order to qualify for the VITA assistance program.

Each location will indicate if appointments are requested or whether individuals can walk in or drop off documents and pick up their complete forms later or prepare their own tax returns with on-site volunteer help when needed.

Taxpayers need to bring a photo ID (passport, driver’s license, state ID) for themselves and their spouse, if married, as well as Social Security cards or ITINS for each person included in tax returns, proof of income (W2s, 1099s, 1098s, cash income and interest income), proof of expenses (e.g. childcare expense statement with provider address and tax ID number, medical expenses or property tax bills), 2014 tax return if available, bank account number with routing number for direct deposit refund and household health coverage information (1095-A if bought through Covered CA). Filing jointly requires that both spouses be present to sign. Volunteers will not be able to prepare returns for married taxpayers filing separately.

Further information is available through the 2-1-1 Santa Clara County website.