FREE TAX PREPARATION ASSISTANCE SITES
Kentuckians have access to nearly 200 free tax preparation sites across the state where trained and IRS-certified volunteers will assist you with your taxes and help you apply for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).
EARNED INCOME TAX CREDITVolunteers at these sites will help determine if you are eligible for the EITC, a refundable federal tax credit for low- and middle-income working individuals and families. Eligibility for the EITC is based on your income, as is the amount of your credit. Working families who earn up to approximately $50,000 may be eligible, and credits can be as high as $5,891. More than 405,000 Kentucky workers are estimated to be eligible to claim the EITC this year. (more) |
Click here to download the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site list. VITA sites are generally located at community and neighborhood centers, libraries, schools, shopping malls, and other convenient locations. Most locations also offer free electronic filing.
For a listing of AARP Tax Aide Locations visit www.aarp.org. AARP locations not open until 2/1.
Beginning Jan. 17, Kentuckians living in one of the counties highlighted below can dial 2-1-1 to find information on free tax preparation sites near them. For information about tax preparation sites outside the 2-1-1 calling area, taxpayers may call Community Action Kentucky at (800) 456-3452.
What documents should you bring to the tax preparation site?
- Valid picture ID
- Copy of 2011 tax return (if you have it)
- Social Security numbers or Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITIN) for you, your spouse and any children born before December 31, 2011. (If available, bring the Social Security cards or ITIN letters to ensure the information is copied correctly onto the tax return).
- Income documentation including:
- W-2 forms from all jobs worked in 2011
- All 1099 forms showing other income received in 2011
- A blank check for direct deposit of your refund. If you don’t have a checking account, bring your bank account name, number and the 9-digit American Bankers’ Association (ABA) routing number. Contact your bank if you need assistance identifying the ABA number.
- If you don’t belong to any bank, you can still use the free tax preparation services at any of these sites, have your taxes filed electronically, and the IRS will mail you a check if you have earned a refund.
If any of the following apply to you, take documentation with you:
- Child care expenses, including the provider’s address and federal ID #
- Mortgage company statements
- Adoption expenses
- Alimony paid or received
- Any notices received from the IRS or state tax office
- Property tax bills
- College tuition and student loan interest statements
- Additions forms of income such as:
- Prizes and awards
- Scholarship and fellowships
- Lottery/gambling winnings
If you lost or do not have all of these items, you can still get your taxes prepared. Call the IRS toll-free helpline at (800) 829-1040 to find out what you need to do and how to obtain replacement documents.
OTHER USEFUL LINKS
Kentuckians who wish to file their own taxes online may be eligible to file for free, thanks to the “Free File Alliance” sponsored by the IRS, Kentucky Department of Revenue and the tax software industry. Click here to see if you qualify to file online for free: www.revenue.ky.gov/FFAOffers.htm.
Barren River Asset Building Coalition: www.brabc.com
Community Action Kentucky: www.communityactionky.org
Green River Asset Building Coalition: www.grabc.org
Kentucky Asset Success Initiative (a project of the Kentucky Domestic Violence Association): www.kdva.org/projects/economic_justice/kasi/kasi_sites.html
Louisville Asset Building Coalition: www.labcservices.org
Make Work Pay (a project of the Regional EITC Collaborative led by United Way of Greater Cincinnati): www.makeworkpay.com