IRS Launches Online Tool to Help Find Local VITA Programs

Feb 8, 2012
Carol Finch

How to Find a VITA Provider - Photo by YM

People with incomes of $50,000 or less may qualify for free help from the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program. Where can you find a VITA site near you?

If you earn $50,000 (or less) a year, then you could be eligible to get help with filing preparation and tax credit advice. The VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) program operates across the U.S., offering a range of free services provided by IRS certified volunteers. A new online tool may now make it easier for you to find a local provider to get the help you need.

How to Find a Local VITA Site

The IRS has set up a new interactive tool that can help you find local assistance from the program. All you need to do to use the VITA locator is to enter your zip code and to set a distance in miles. So, for example, if you set a range of 10 miles, your results would show details of all sites within a 10 mile radius of your home.

Once you set the location tool, it will take you to a list of results. These are organized by distance (from closest first). Each result lists the:

Address of the provider running VITA services.
Distance from your home/zip code.
Program dates.
Days and hours of operation.
Any language assistance that is offered.
Details on whether you need to book an appointment or not.

You can also use a connection to Google Maps which is listed on each result to get directions to the site's location.

How Can the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program Help?

The biggest benefit of VITA, if you are eligible, is that you can get free assistance from experienced volunteers who have all been certified by the IRS. The type of help you get may vary, depending on your circumstances and needs. This generally includes basic income tax return preparation and advice on whether you may be eligible for certain types of tax credits (such as Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit and Credit for the Elderly or the Disabled).

What's the Difference Between VITA and TCE?

VITA is targeted generally at people who earn $50,000 or less. TCE (Tax Counseling for the Elderly) programs offer much the same services but focus on helping people aged 60+ get advice on senior pension and retirement tax-related issues. If you think that this solution may suit you better, you can find out more via the AARP's Tax-Aide program.