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Volunteer Income Tax Assistance

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program is an annual partnership with the University of Georgia’s College of Family & 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 & 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. 2021 marks the 16th year of this partnership providing approximately 3,500 community residents free tax preparation and filing services annually.

 

Before Making An Appointment

  1. 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. 
  2. For married filing joint, both taxpayer and the taxpayer spouse must be present to sign the return.
  3. 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”.  
  4. A quick reference guide to IRS limitations is available at irs.gov, search publication 3676-B. 
  5. Click here to see if you may qualify for “Free Tax” and file your return using IRS approved software. 

Important information to bring for your appointment:

Please be sure and bring the following with you:

  • 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 or credit unions (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
  • Bank routing and transit number and your account numbers for Direct Deposit 
  • Forms 1095-A, B or C Affordable Healthcare Statements

Thanks for a Great 2020 Tax 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® students 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.
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15 years

23,391
Free tax returns for Georgia residents

Since 2005

$ 18,131,999
Total federal and state refunds for the Athens and Dalton communities

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