Contact our AmeriCorps VITA team to schedule an appointment.  We have members trained in 2009, 2010, and 2011 taxes who would be happy to help you file your taxes.  Please read below for a list containing what returns we can and cannot do.  If you have a question about a particular tax form or what you should bring with you, call us at 720-563-1591 or email vita@frontierassetbuilding.org 
Remember, this service is provided completely free of charge!

VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance)

VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) and TCE (Tax Counseling for the Elderly) are IRS-sponsored programs operated by local volunteers to provide FREE preparation and e-filing of Federal and Colorado State income taxes for taxpayers who qualify. For the 2011 tax year (filed in 2012), this service is available for basic returns with income up to $49,500. The income limitation is per return, so couples filing joint returns must have a combined income of $49,500 or less. Generally, tax assistance is provided at a designated VITA or TCE site where a certified volunteer will prepare and e-file your taxes for you while you wait. Your taxes will be completed and e-filed the same day (assuming that you have all the necessary information with you when you arrive).

Virtual VITA will be used at all locations listed on our website.  Virtual VITA uses today's technology to increase capacity and create a more efficient system for VITA sites.  Virtual VITA is beneficial to the taxpayer because they simply drop off their tax documents and pick up their completed return at a later date.  This allows the taxpayer to spend considerably less time at the VITA site.

A Beehive session involves up to twenty taxpayers stationed at computers using the online Beehive software to complete their own tax return.  A VITA Certified AmeriCorps Member from our program is present to answer any questions and to basically facilitate the session.

What We Can Do

Some returns are beyond the scope of the program and cannot be prepared by a VITA or TCE tax site, even if the taxpayer meets the income requirements. Sites can prepare basic Federal and Colorado State returns including:

• income from wages (reported on a form W-2), social security benefits, pensions and retirement accounts, interest and dividends, self-employment income with simple business expenses, and proceeds from the sale of stocks and bonds where the cost basis is provided.
• credits including the Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, credit for dependent care expenses, education credits, and qualified residential energy credits.

Some sites are certified to assist with taxpayers who have been through a cancellation of debt or foreclosure, as long as the following conditions are met:

• The taxpayer has received a completed form 1099-C from the lender, the information on the form 1099-C is correct, and there is no interest reported in Box 3.
• The home has never been used in a trade or business, or as rental property.
• There is not a bankruptcy involved.
• The mortgage was used only to buy, build, or improve the principal residence. If any part of the mortgage was used to pay off other expenses – for example, if proceeds from a refinance were used to pay off credit cards, pay for education, etc., then it is outside the scope of the VITA program.

Please contact the site you are planning to visit to make sure they have volunteers to assist with cancellation of debt or foreclosure.

What We CANNOT Do:

• Self-employment income (reported on form 1099-MISC) where any of the following is true:
  • Expenses exceed $10,000
  • Expenses include depreciation or business use of the home
  • A loss is reported
• Proceeds from the sale of stocks and bonds if the cost basis is not included on the form 1099-B.
• Income from rental property
• Other advanced forms

What To Bring With You

You must have a photo ID for yourself and your spouse, and Social Security Cards or ITIN letters for yourself, your spouse, and any dependents you will be claiming on your return. Other items to bring:

• Your spouse, if you are filing a married filing joint return.  Both spouses must be present to sign the required forms.
• Birth dates for you, your spouse, and any dependents you will be claiming on your return.
• A copy of last year’s tax returns, both State and Federal, if you have them.
• Bank routing numbers and account numbers if you want to direct-deposit your return (a check will have this information on it).
• All wage and earnings statements for both you and your spouse (if you are filing jointly), from all employers and banks.  This includes forms W-2, W-2G, and all forms 1099 (for example SSA-1099, 1099-MISC, 1099-R, etc.).  If you are unsure whether or not a form you have is needed, bring it with you just in case.
• The amount of any tip income or alimony received.
• If you received an Economic Recovery Payment received from the Social Security Administration, the Railroad Retirement Board, or the Veterans Administration in 2010, bring information on the amount. If you are not sure whether you received an Economic Recovery Payment in 2010, you can check on the IRS website.
• The total amount you have paid for day care, and the day care provider’s tax identifying number (the provider’s Social Security Number, or their business Employer Identification Number).
• Educational expenses (including forms 1098-E and 1098-T).
• Any alimony paid, and the recipient’s Social Security Number.
• Amount of any IRA contributions.
• If you received a first-time home-buyer's credit in a previous year, bring information on the purchase date of the home and the amount of credit you received.
• Information on any foreclosure or other debt forgiveness.
• Receipts for any qualified energy-efficient home items purchased (such as windows, furnaces, insulation, etc.).

If you believe you may be able to itemize deductions this year, bring any supporting documentation for expenses that can be itemized.  These include:

• Home mortgage interest (generally reported on Form 1098).
• Property taxes (may be included on Form 1098) and any other real estate taxes.
• Automobile registrations.
• Paperwork showing the amounts donated to qualified charitable organizations (such as donations to your church, or donations taken to the Salvation Army).
• Receipts for any medical or dental expenses you paid that were not reimbursed by your health insurance.  This includes premiums for medical and dental insurance that are paid by you (amounts paid by your employer do not qualify).
• Un-reimbursed employee expenses (such as union dues, or required safety equipment that your employer does not pay for).
• Documentation for any gambling losses (up the amount of gambling winnings received).
• If you itemized last year (that is, your return included a Schedule A), you will need to bring the amount of state tax refund you received last year.  Generally, this is reported on a form 1099-G that you should have received.

It is extremely important that each person use the correct Social Security Number or ITIN. The most accurate information is usually located on your original Social Security card or the letter you received with your ITIN.  Each year hundreds of thousands of returns are delayed in processing, or credit/deductions are disallowed because names and Social Security Numbers or ITINs do not match IRS records.  To prevent processing delays in paper returns and rejected electronically filed returns, volunteers check the accuracy of each Social Security Number or ITIN, as well as the spelling of the name associated with the number.

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