Free tax help is available for those who have low to moderate income ($60,000 or less); seniors; the disabled or those who have English as a second language. Volunteers have been certified through the IRS VITA/TCE program to prepare basic tax returns, provide information on the Earned Income Tax Credit and other credits, deductions and allowable expenses that taxpayers may be eligible for and electronically file taxes at no charge. Assistance is available for taxpayers who need to apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number or ITIN. These sites are not able to provide help with business tax returns or complex individual income tax returns.
As of Wednesday, Jan. 21, Tucson area sites will open. Specific site information follows:
Pio Decimo Center, 848 S. 7th Ave., Tucson
Mondays and Wednesdays, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
YWCA, 525 N. Bonita Ave., Tucson
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Pan Asian Center, 940 S. Craycroft Rd., Tucson
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.; Sundays 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., by appointment, call 520-512-0144
Brown Mackie College, 4585 E. Speedway Blvd., Tucson
Wednesdays, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Fridays, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
National Bank of Arizona, 7601 N. Oracle Rd., Oro Valley
Fridays, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Tucson area residents need to bring: photo identification for themselves (and their spouses); Social Security Numbers (SSN’s) or Individual Tax Identification Numbers (ITIN’s) for each person listed on the tax return; all wage and earnings statements (Forms W-2); interest, dividend or miscellaneous income and/or mortgage interest paid statements (Forms 1099 or 1098); if applicable, the Form 1095-A, Health Insurance Marketplace Statement; amounts paid for day care and the day care provider’s identifying number (SSN or EIN); a copy of last year’s tax return (if you have it) and any other information concerning income and expenses for 2013. If filing jointly, both spouses must be present to sign the required forms.
This year, the Tucson area free tax help sites are offering a drop off service. You can come into a Tucson area site during normal business hours and drop off your tax information to avoid waiting in line to have your taxes done. An intake specialist will ask you to fill out consent forms and intake sheets and will make copies of documents needed to prepare your tax return. Volunteers will complete your return within three business days and you will be called when your taxes are ready. Volunteers will then set up a time for you to come in, review the return with a preparer and electronically file.
Consider using direct deposit if you are getting a tax refund. With direct deposit, the IRS could issue your federal tax refund in 21 days or less. You will need to bring banking account and routing identification numbers for direct deposit.
To find other free tax help sites in Arizona or across the county, go to IRS.gov and key in “volunteer sites” in the search bar. If you have any questions about any of the Tucson metropolitan area free tax help sites, please call Rita Camacho, Pio Decimo Center, at 520-622-2801, extension 7110.