Skip to main content

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program is an annual partnership with the University of Georgia’s College of Family and Consumer Sciences, Dalton State College and the IRS to provide free income tax preparation and filing for consumers of moderate income.

Need Assistance With Preparing Your Taxes?

VITA is an annual partnership with the University of Georgia’s College of Family and Consumer Sciences, Dalton State College and the IRS to provide free income tax preparation and filing for consumers of moderate income. Georgia United Foundation® provides funding, use of Georgia United Credit Union's Athens and Dalton branches and online appointment reservations to support this program from late January through mid-April each year.

2022 marks the 17th year of this partnership providing approximately 3,500 community residents free tax preparation and filing services annually. This partnership provides practical experiential learning for college students majoring in Financial Planning and Accounting. 

If you have financial needs in the future, the Georgia United Credit Union welcomes the opportunity to serve you and your family members. To learn more about banking services that fit YOUR needs, please give us a call at 888.493.4328 or visit one of our locations.

Before Making An Appointment
  • Review all information below before scheduling an appointment to ensure you will have the information required to complete the return by the appointment time selected. 
  • For married filing joint, both taxpayer and the taxpayer spouse must be present to sign the return.
  • The VITA program is open to all low and moderate income taxpayers who do not have depreciable assets, business losses, extensive stock transactions, or are required to file as a “Non-Resident”.  
  • A quick reference guide to IRS limitations is available at irs.gov, search publication 3676-B. 

Schedule Your Appointment

Athens - tax preparation will be offered January 25 – April 13, 2022, on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings. 

Athens Virtual - virtual appointments will be offered January 25 – April 13, 2022, on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings.

Dalton - tax preparation will be offered January 21– March 5, 2022, on Friday evenings and Saturdays.

Schedule your appointment Today

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Bank routing and transit number and your account numbers for Direct Deposit
  • A copy of last year's federal and state returns (necessary due to changes in the Earned Income Credit rules). If not available, you can obtain a Tax Return Transcript at irs.gov/transcript and download a copy of your federal return
  • Proof of identification
  • Social Security Cards or Individual Taxpayer Identification notices/cards for you, your spouse and/or dependents and/or a Social Security number verification letter issued by the Social Security Administration
  • Your birth date and birth dates of your spouse and/or dependents
  • Wage and earning statement(s), Form W-2, W-2G, 1099-R, from all employers
  • Interest and dividend statements from banks, credit unions, other financial institutions or government agency (Forms 1099)
  • Records of earnings (Forms 1099 and/or cash) from self-employment and expenses related to self-employment income
  • Documents supporting itemized deductions, child/dependent care, etc., where applicable
  • Forms 1095-A, B or C Affordable Healthcare Statements

Thanks for a great 2021 season

VITA provides free tax preparation assistance to individuals and families with low to moderate income, those with disabilities and the elderly. Dalton State and University of Georgia® student volunteers are certified by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as tax preparers and earn academic credit for their participation in the VITA program. As part of the partnership, Georgia United Credit Union provides office space, giving the local community opportunities to have their taxes prepared and filed at no charge.
Watch Video

16 years

27,127
Free tax returns filed for Georgia residents

Since 2005

$ 24,090,627
Total federal and state refunds for the Athens and Dalton communities
“
I want to thank you for helping me have my taxes done. I appreciate you all so much giving of your time and talents to help a senior like me. You all are truly a wonderful blessing!!
- Thomas I.

News