Free Tax Preparations

Welcome to VITA!

For regular tax preparation:

• You can file yourself for free at MyFreeTaxes.com
• Collier County Residents—select Book Appointment and schedule a time to get assistance.
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A little about VITA and what you will need for your appointment:

The United Way VITA program provides FREE tax return preparation for taxpayers with household incomes of less than $66,000.  IRS VITA return preparation sites are operated by certified Volunteers who are passionate about taxes and are trained to do basic returns. Due to this, we cannot prepare returns with:

• Rental income, farm income, crypto currency, or the sale of any property other than stocks or main home (we can do stocks or main home).

If self-employed: We cannot do your return if you have employees, expenses over $35,000, depreciation or large purchases of an item that needs to be depreciated, or business use of home.

Please see a paid preparer if your return falls within any of those categories listed above or you can try to complete the return on your own at  MyFreeTaxes.com

Once you schedule an appointment, you will receive a confirmation e-mail with a list of documents you will need to bring to your appointment.  If you input your cell phone number when you make your appointment, you can receive text appt. reminders as well.

What should you bring to your tax appointment?:

• Valid Photo ID for taxpayer and spouse (if applicable)- Social Security Cards or ITINs for everyone on the tax return, including children. Social Security statements are an acceptable replacement. (New cards can be requested on ssa.gov and arrive in about 10 business days)
• Copy of your 2023 tax returns (not mandatory but STRONGLY SUGGEST). -All W-2’s and 1099’s for employment-All 1099s, 1098s and any other tax forms, includes 1099G for unemployment
• If self-employed: Bring an itemized list of your income, your expenses and business mileage—mileage needs to be broken down into 2 totals: January-June and July-December
  

• If you are an Uber/Lfyt driver—please download and bring your year end summary report along with any 1099-NECs and 1099-Ks that may be issued.
• If you are married and filing jointly, your spouse will need to review and sign the return as well.
• If you have health insurance from Marketplace/Obamacare bring your 1095A or call 1-800-318-2596 to get one mailed or visit healthcare.gov 
• If you have dependent care (daycare) expenses bring total paid to day care provider and their tax ID number, name and address
• If you are in the IRS’ Identity Theft Pin program (do you get a special PIN mailed to you each year by the IRS?) Please bring the PIN # issued in January 2025 by the IRS (a new PIN issued every January—you can get a replacement pin online at IRS.gov type PIN in the search field)
• If you sold your main home in 2024 please bring closing statements and purchase documents for that home
  
  If you would like your refund direct deposited into your Savings and/or checking account please bring the routing and account numbers (Ex. Bring a check) **We encourage you to plan ahead and think about saving for an emergency—we can split your refund into 2 different accounts—just bring the numbers for both accounts!