Locations & Hours
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program is an initiative of the IRS, the governmental entity that processes US income taxes each year.
Volunteers from the community are trained to help individuals and familes in submitting their taxes for both the current year and previous years.
This FREE service is provided by CAC (through partnership with United Way of Greater Atlanta) starting February 1. Appointments are highly recommended.
Who Is Eligible?
The VITA program at CAC offers free tax help to people who need assistance in preparing their own tax returns, including:
- People who generally make $67,000 or less;
- Persons with disabilities; and
- Limited English-speaking taxpayers
You do not have to be a CAC client or live in the area that CAC provides other services to, to take part in the VITA program.
If you have questions on eligibility, please contact the VITA team via email: vita@ourcac.org.
How to Apply
Households seeking tax filing help must make an appointment.
Please send an email to our VITA team to request an in-person appointment:
call the Helpline (770) 552-4015 and leave a message with your contact information, and we’ll call you back to set up an in-person appointment;
PLAN AHEAD
Required Documents
Identification
Government-issued picture ID, such as a driver’s license or passport.
Taxpayer Identification (SSN or ITIN)
Original Social Security cards or Individual Taxpayer Identification letters for yourself, your spouse, and any dependents.
Income Documents
All W-2s, 1099s (1099-NC, 1099-MISC, 1099-INT, etc.), Retirement Incom (1099-R), Unemployment (1099-G), and/or Social Security Benefits (SSA-1099).
Additional Tax Forms
Any other tax forms received such as ACA Health Insurance (1095-A), HSA (1099-SA, 5498-SA), School Tuition (1098-T), Student Loan Interest (1098-E), and Mortgage Interest (1098).
Last Year's Tax Return
Please bring a copy of last year’s tax return.
Bank Account Information
If you’d like to use the direct deposit/withdrawal feature, please bring your bank account number and routing number.
Your Spouse
If you are filing a joint return, both spouses must be present to sign the tax forms.
Dependent Expense Documentation
If you have a child or another dependent, please bring documentation for these expenses:
- The name, address, and tax ID (EIN or SSN) for your childcare/dependent care provider
- Education expenses (books, laptops, etc.)
Independent Contractor Documentation
If you are an independent contractor, please provide documentation of all your business expenses.
FOR THOSE WITHOUT A SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER
Attaining an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
CAC provides an additional service for taxpayers – helping with Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) applications. As a Certifying Acceptance Agent, CAC can help individuals apply for an ITIN and certify their identification documents on-site. If you have a Social Security Number (SSN), you do not need an ITIN.
What is an ITIN?
An Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) is a tax processing number issued by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). It is only available for certain nonresident and resident aliens, their spouses, and dependents who cannot get a Social Security Number (SSN).
What is an ITIN used for?
- IRS issues ITINs to help individuals comply with U.S. tax laws and filing purposes.
- An ITIN DOES NOT:
- Authorize work in the U.S.
- Provide eligibility for Social Security benefits
- Qualify a dependent for Earned Income Tax Credit Purposes
- All Form W-7 applications, including renewals, must include a U.S. federal tax return.
- If your ITIN wasn’t used on a U.S. tax return at least once in the past 3 years, your ITIN is expired, and you must renew.
Is CAC a Certifying Acceptance Agent (CAA)?
Yes, CAC is a Certifying Acceptance Agent. This means that you do not need to mail your original identification documents (like your passport) to the IRS in order to receive an ITIN; we can verify your documents on site.
What service does CAC provide?
- Prepare your tax return(s) (if needed)
- Prepare your ITIN application (Form W-7), including verification of supporting documentation (without the need to mail original documents to the IRS since we are a CAA, Certifying Acceptance Agent)
- Assist you with mailing your ITIN application and tax return(s)
- Help track the status of your ITIN application
How do I make an appointment to apply for an ITIN?
To make an appointment, please email vita@ourcac.org for an appointment. Include the following information:
- Who is applying (i.e. you, your spouse, your dependents, etc.)?
- Is this a new application or a renewal?
- A good phone number and time for an intake call to discuss the specifics of your application
About VITA at CAC
CAC is proud to be a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site! The VITA program offers free tax preparation services to moderate and lower income earning tax filers to help them get their income tax returns filed accurately, on time, ensure all eligible tax credits and refunds and avoid costly preparation fees.
CAC is one of many VITA sites in metro Atlanta. VITA is an initiative of the IRS in partnership with the United Way of Greater Atlanta.
VITA is a seasonal program available February through April. At CAC we have about a dozen volunteers trained specifically for the VITA program. CAC typically helps about 500 tax filers a year prepare and submit their returns for free, helping filers get back more than $4 million over the years in refunds and credits!
VITA volunteers are needed! All VITA volunteer tax preparers are IRS trained and certified. Volunteer tax preparers (basic, intermediate or advanced) must complete online training by mid February. Additional VITA volunteers are also needed to serve as:
– Client Interviewers/Assistants: This person works with VITA clients to collect and scan all tax documents, upload scans, set up clients on computer video meeting with their Tax Preparer if needed.
– Reception desk greeters/appointment schedulers.
Available VITA volunteer shifts include evenings and Saturday mornings from February to April 15.
To become a VITA volunteer contact vita@ourcac.org.