Free Tax Prep

VOLUNTEER

 

Serving as a VITA volunteer is more than just doing taxes. It’s an opportunity to help low-wage, working families keep more of what they earn. In 2022, our volunteers prepared more than 5,800 tax returns, lower than our average of 6,500. We have consistently put more than $9 million dollars back into our 10-Parish community, making individuals and families more financially stable.

 

No experience needed

  • IRS- certified training provided online and in-person

  • Work with mentors to grow your skills

  • Volunteer as your schedule allows

  • Assist in the following ways:

    • Tax Preparer

    • Greeter or Intake Specialist 

    • Financial Educator

    • Interpreter

 

VITA Registration Form

Learn more about registration and learning opportunities here.


WHAT IS VITA

 

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)

Overview and Information

 

For over 50 years, the IRS's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offers free basic tax return preparation to qualified individuals meeting the following criteria:

  • People who generally make $60,000 or less annually
  • Persons with disabilities
  • Limited English-speaking taxpayers

CAUW has partnered with the IRS to provide this service in order to help our ALICE families and individuals become more economically secure by:

  • Ensuring that our clients receive the Earned Income Tax, Child Tax, Additional Child Tax, and Education Credits for which they are eligible for.
  • Providing financial information and guidance to clients who are struggling to make ends meet. 

           

2025AGICHART

 

The low-to-moderate income threshold for FY 2025, Tax Year 2024, is $67,000. 

The threshold is based on tax year 2024 EITC AGI limits as shown below:

 

Earned income and adjusted gross income (AGI) must each be less than:

• $59,899 ($66,819 if Married Filing Jointly) with three or more qualifying

children

• $55,768 ($62,688 if Married Filing Jointly) with two qualifying children

• $49,084 ($56,004 if Married Filing Jointly) with one qualifying child

• $18,591 ($25,511 if Married Filing Jointly) with no qualifying child

The maximum EITC for 2024:

• $7,830 with three or more qualifying children

• $6,960 with two qualifying children

• $4,213 with one qualifying child

• $632 with no qualifying child

Investment income limit: $11,600


 

VITA 2025

 

Our sites for the 2024 tax season will offer drop-off or face-to-face models.

  • Please pay attention to calendars
  • Drop-off appointments are for 30 minutes.
  • Face-to-face appointments are for one hour. 

*Self-Serve Options for Households that earned less than $60,000 are also available: 

                                 

VITA Appointments Available Jan 9, 2025
 

Items to Bring to Tax Preparation Appointment:

  • Photo ID (for you and your spouse, if filing jointly)
  • Social Security Card or ITN for each family member of your household
  • *All W-2 forms (wages) and all 1099 and 1098 forms
  • Child Care provider name, address and tax ID number
  • Checking and savings account numbers
  • Last year’s tax return
  • 1095-A Health Insurance Marketplace Statement (if applicable)
  • Other relevant information about income and expenses

 


Volunteer Resources:

 


   

Thank You to our VITA Partners and Funders  
 

                        EntergyLogo                  

                 myfreetaxesbankonlogoShareOurStrength

      

Interested in becoming a VITA partner?  

Read more about our impact in the 10-Parish service area.  And email us at vita@cauw.org to learn more about the ways you can be involved!