City Offering Free Tax Prep Assistance For Qualified Individuals

The City of Charleston’s Mayor’s Office for Children, Youth, and Families are working to build resources for more financial literacy. Part of this project is promoting VITA sites, where people who make $60,000 or less (or if you are married $95,000 or less), elderly or disabled, can get help filing their taxes. 

Trained volunteers assist in making sure their taxes are filed correctly and the person receives as much of a return as they can. VITA sites are operated by local organizations like the Trident Urban League and Trident United Way. This year, these organizations are moving to more virtual or appointment-only set up because of COVID.  Taxes can be filed starting on Feb 12th and the last day to file is April 15th.

VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) Sites and Information 

VITA programs offers free basic tax preparation for those who qualify. VITA sites have qualified and trained volunteers  that can help you through the tax filing process to make sure that your taxes are done correctly. VITA volunteers will  work to get your full refund back. They are also required to keep your information confidentialso you can feel safe using  a VITA site. As a reminder, you must file your taxes before April 15th.

Individuals Who Qualify for VITA Assistance: 

• General income of $60,000 or less ($95,000 or less if you are filing jointly with a married status) • Elderly
• Persons with disabilities
• Persons not fluent in English

Information & Forms You Might Need to Bring: Be sure to ask the VITA provider what you need to bring when setting up  your appointment. 

• Photo ID
• Social Security Information (if applicable, bring Social Security Information for spouse and dependents) • Proof of Foreign Status, if applying for an ITIN
• Birth dates (including for spouse and dependents)
• Any W-2, W-2G, 1099-R, 1099- Misc. or 1098 forms
• Interest and dividend statement from banks
• Health Insurance Exemption Certificate, if received
• Copy of last years Federal and State Tax returns, if available
• Routing and account numbers for direct deposit
• Total paid for daycare provider and the provider’s tax identification
• Forms 1095-A, B, and C Health Coverage Statements

VITA Providers: 

Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, some usualVITA sitesmight be closed, require an appointment, or are online. Please  contact a VITA partner for their protocol.

• Charleston Trident Urban League: https://www.ctul.org/copy-of-center-for-change-leadershio Call to make an appointment: 843-769- 8173
• Increasing H.O.P.E.: www.increasinghope.org

o Call to make an appointment: 843-225-4343

• SC Thrive: https://scthrive.org/for-you/filetaxes/

o Call or email to make an appointment: 800-726-877 or Rmoses@scthrive.org

• Trident United Way: https://www.tuw.org/freetaxes

o Limited amount of in person appointments available.

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