Volunteer Income Tax Assistance

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) during February through April 15 of each year. Appointments are required.

Who Is Eligible?

CAC provides VITA appointments to any household in the Atlanta area whose total household income is less than $60,000/year. 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.

You can fill our our online appointment request form;

APPOINTMENT REQUEST FORM

or send an email to our VITA team to request an appointment;

EMAIL THE VITA TEAM

or call the Helpline (770) 552-4015 and leave a message with your contact information, and we’ll call you back to set up an appointment.

CALL HELPLINE

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 cards for yourself, your spouse, and any dependents. 

Income Documents

All W-2s, 1098-Ts, 1099s (1099-MISC, 1099-INT, etc.), and Unemployment or Social Security Benefits.

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.

 

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.