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VITA-Income Tax Assistance 2026

Free Tax Preparation Assistance by Broward Tax Pro

In-person tax assistance free of charge to anyone with a special focus on low to moderate income taxpayers.

• In person tax assistance provide free of charge to individuals and families with annual household incomes up to $75,000.
• First come, first served- no appointments necessary.
• Taxpayers may log onto vitataxesfree.org, call 954-964-8884 extension 3, or call 2-1-1 for more information.

Tax Season 2026 Facts

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) is a federal program created 50+ years ago.

This service is provided by trained, certified volunteer tax preparers who will – in addition to preparing taxes for free – determine an individual’s eligibility for tax credits. Such as the Earned Income Credit, the Child Tax Credit, Education Credits, etc.

EITC (Earned Income Tax Credit): The federal tax credit for eligible low-to-moderate-income working taxpayers reduces the amount of taxes owed and refunds the difference if the credit is larger than the amount owed. The credit changes from year to year and is based on earnings, the number of qualifying children, and filing status. All eligible taxpayers must be US citizens or legal permanent residents for the entire year and have lived in the USA for at least six months during the tax year.

For more information about the services, starting in mid-January, taxpayers are encouraged to:

• call 2-1-1
• call the VITA Hotline at 954-964-8884, select your preferred language, and hit extension 3.
• Log onto hispanicunity.org/taxes
• visit the nearest VITA site during operating hours log onto www.irs.gov and search for Free Tax Return Preparation for Qualifying Taxpayers find the VITA/TCE Locator Tool or call 1-800-906-9887
• 2-1-1 assists in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, French, Haitian-Creole, Portuguese, and American sign language.

VITA offers American sign-language (“ASL”) interpreter services at the Center for Independent Living of Broward by appointment only. Services at this location are for people with disabilities & their immediate families. Please call (954) 722-6400 VOIP (954) 320-6860 to schedule an appointment and request an ASL interpreter.

Who qualifies for the FREE tax preparation services?
 Individuals and families with or without dependents (children or adults) with a household income of $75,000 or less in 2025. However, we’ll assist taxpayers with higher annual household incomes if we determine that the tax return is within the scope and the site coordinator determines if the taxpayer can be assisted.

 People with disabilities, veterans, seniors, and taxpayers whose primary language is not English can have their taxes prepared for FREE.

What services we offer:

Free tax preparation services: We assist with filing 2025 federal income tax returns throughout the filing season.

We can also help prepare 2024 and 2023 tax returns starting in March or earlier, depending on the site’s capacity.

However, if you are due a refund, we will help prepare your 2022 tax return by this year’s filing deadline.

Electronic filing (e-file) is offered for FREE and is the safest and quickest way to file your taxes. Those who have been victims of identity theft must bring their identity protection PIN letter, which the IRS sends every year. Otherwise, we cannot e-file your tax return or prepare a paper one.

VITA services will be provided at 15 tax locations and select mobile sites throughout Broward County. Some sites are appointment based while others accept walk-ins.

VITA sites begin opening as early as January 20, 2026.

Our hours of operation for tax preparation services differ from site to site. However, services may close earlier if we reach maximum capacity. We recommend arriving early to ensure your spot! However, we cannot file your tax return if:

•You don’t provide all the required documents when you visit a VITA site
•Your tax return, regardless of income, is out of VITA's scope, and our volunteers and staff are not certified to help you with your tax situation.
•Your household’s adjusted gross income (AGI) is over $75,000.
•You or your spouse are dual-status or non-resident aliens.
•You or your spouse receive income from farm or rental properties.
•You or your spouse are a member of the clergy.
•You or your spouse must make any of the following payments:
       ▪Penalty for underpayment of estimated tax
       ▪Alternative minimum tax
       ▪Household employment tax

What to Bring:

Please note that this is not a comprehensive list. Based on the information shared during the intake and interview process at the sites, other documents may be required.

•If you are a victim of Identity Theft, you must bring your Identity Protection letter from the IRS with your newly issued PIN #. The PIN # changes every year. You must get the newest letter the IRS mailed for this tax season.

• Original photo identification for you and your spouse (if married filing jointly), such as a:
        o Valid U.S driver’s license
        o Employer ID
        o School ID
        o State ID (U.S.)
        o Military ID
        o National ID
        o Visa
        o Passport

•Social Security card or verification letter that includes the Social Security Number or CP-01A Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) letter for all members to be included in the tax return.

•W-2 forms for all jobs worked (2025, 2024, 2023, 2022) as applicable to the tax year you need to file

•Form 1099-G for unemployment compensation and state or local tax refunds

•Form 1099-R or form SSA-1099

•If you are self-employed
        o Bring all the support documentation related to your business income and expenses. (If you worked with Uber and/or Lyft, you must bring the official statement they provide showing the details of gross payments received, mileage, and fees paid during 2025 plus tax deduction tracker for 2025 and rideshare tax organizer for 2025).
        o You must bring your Form 1099-NEC and 1099-K as they may show important information related to your business.

•Form W-2G and any other 1099 forms received during 2025.

•Childcare provider name, address, tax ID number (it may be the provider’s SSN/ITIN), and the amount paid in 2025.

•Form 1098-T, plus updated unofficial transcripts from your school and school statement showing charges and payments for every academic period if you or anyone in your household attended college or university (post-secondary education)

•Other applicable tax-related documents, such as interest statements, federal loan documents, retirement statements, list of organizations to which you made charitable donations and their support documentation, etc.

•Forms 1095-A, B or C, Affordable Health Care Statements.

•Form 1099-K- for those self-employed taxpayers who use debit, credit, or another 3rd party (e.g., cash app, Venmo, Zelle) for business transactions or settled with a third-party network for transactions with gross payments that exceed $5,000.00 in 2025.

•Direct Deposit info: Banking or credit union account information (routing and checking/saving account number) if you would like direct deposit of your refunds

•NEW FOR 2025 Even if you usually take the standard deduction, bring your charitable contribution receipts. You may qualify for an extra deduction of up to $1,000 ($2,000 if you file MFJ)

•NEW FOR 2025, if you purchase a 2025-year vehicle bring your loan statement showing interest paid, lender name, and Vin

•NEW FOR 2025 bring paystubs showing qualified overtime compensation. Include your W-2/1099 records

•Bring your previous year’s tax return depending on which tax return you need help preparing
       o For help preparing your 2025 tax return, bring your 2024 tax return.
       o For help preparing your 2024 tax return, bring your 2023 tax return.
       o For help preparing your 2023 tax return, bring your 2022 tax return.
       o For help preparing your 2022 tax return, bring your 2021 tax return.

If filing a married filing joint return,
•Both spouses must be present during the visit.

If filing a married filing separate return,
•Copy of the spouse’s 2025 tax return

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