Free Tax Preparation Services 

You may be eligible if you, and your spouse, earned a total gross income of less than $69,000 during the tax year. Our clinic only processes California resident tax returns and not other states. We only process returns for the current year.

If you are an active-duty military or a veteran, the income threshold does not apply to you as well as other tax situations listed below such as rental income.

• Income from foreign sources, rental property, or Schedule K-1s
• Married couples with no dependents filing separately
• Registered domestic partners who want to file jointly
• Specific business expenses:
  • Business use of home
  • Actual expenses for vehicles
  • Employees
  • Inventory and cost of goods sold
  • Depreciation
  • Businesses with a loss
  • Any cancellation of debt where the taxpayer filed bankrupt or was insolvent immediately before the debt was canceled
  • International students or nonresident aliens who:
    • Have dual-status citizenship
    • Income earned from a 1099-MISC, self-employment, gambling, or rent/royalties

While this list may not be inclusive, these are the more common scenarios that may disqualify most people from VITA services.

We are able to prepare individual income tax returns for the current year, including foreign student returns. The Mt. SAC VITA program provides tax services in English, Spanish, and Chinese languages. 

Due to our limited capacity and the IRS is temporarily not accepting paper returns or correspondence, we are currently not offering the following services:

• Tax returns prior to the current year
• Amended returns
• ITIN applications and renewals
• IRS or FTB letters

These services may be offered in the future depending on the operations of the IRS.

• Form 1040, 1040A, and 1040EZ
• Standard and Itemized Deductions
• *Earned Income Tax Credit
• *Virutal Currency Transaction
• *Limited K-1 and Capital Gain Transactions
  
  

• Form 1040NR
• Schedule E, Rental Property
• Schedile F, Farmer Income
• Married Filing Separately
• Sale of Personal Residence

*Please note: Tax returns that have capital gains, virtual currency, stock transactions, and limited K1 forms will need to be reviewed by our site coordinator to determine eligibility for filing your tax return. 

For a smooth and efficient tax preparation process, we ask you to gather the following relevant documents prior to visiting the tax clinic.

• Proof of identification for you and/or your spouse
  • Both spouses must be present during the identity verification process of the tax return
  • For International Students, you will also need your Visa and I-9
• Social Security cards or ITIN cards/letters for you, your spouse, and/or dependents
  • You may substitute this with a 1099-SSA, IRS transcript, or your prior year tax return done by CPP VITA
• Wage and income forms such as:
  • W-2 or W-2G Gambling Winnings
  • 1099-MISC and a list of business expenses relevant to self-employment work
  • 1099-B, DIV, or INT
  • 1099-G Unemployment Compensation
  • Cash
• Information for other income
• Form 1098-T Tuition Statement and any other educational expenses
• Information for deductions
  • IRA contributions
  • 1098-E Student Loan Interest
  • 1098 Mortgage Interest
  • Real estate taxes
  • Charitable contributions/deductions
• Amount paid to daycare provider and their tax ID number
• Forms 1095-A, B, or C for health coverage
• Copy of last year's tax return, if possible
  • For returning clients, let us know what location you visited
• Bank routing and account number for direct deposit or debit.

The Mt. SAC VITA Program will be open every Saturday starting February 28 - April 11. Taxpayers may walk in anytime during our operating hours (8am-2pm), however in order for your return to be processed, you must arrive before 12:30pm to be served on a first come, first available basis. Our last return will be accepted no later than 1pm.