Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)

We're excited that you are interested in utilizing our FREE income tax return preparation services. The IRS-sponsored Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program has provided trained volunteers to prepare federal, state, and local tax returns for qualifying taxpayers since 1969. Partnering with the United Way of Saginaw County, Delta College is entering its fourth year (2013 tax season; 2012 calendar year) preparing tax returns for community members who qualify.

If you have questions, please contact Greg Hubner at gregoryhubner@delta.edu.    

Do I qualify?

In order for you to have your tax returns prepared at no cost by our trained volunteers, your income must be below certain levels. Generally, we will follow the income limitations provided for the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). If your income is below the amount provided in the middle column below next to the number of children that you have, then you qualify. In addition, check out the credit amounts that you could qualify for in the right hand column.

In addition, there may be situations where we cannot prepare tax returns due to complexities for which our volunteers are not trained. We will review your materials when you arrive and let you know if any such complexities will prevent us from preparing your returns.

Where and when do I go?

The tax preparation site is located at:

Delta College
1961 Delta Road
University Center, MI 48710
Room A-121 within the library (LLIC)

The site will be open Fridays 9am - 4pm from February 8 - April 12 (closed March 8 during spring break). Please arrive by 3:30pm to be served that day.

What do I need to bring?

The success of your tax return preparation depends on you bringing all required documentation. The following is a general list of important information for you to bring, if applicable:

• photo ID
• Social Security card for taxpayer, spouse, and all dependents
• all forms W-2 for wages
• all forms 1099 (all types) for monies received
• statement from Department of Human Services (DHS)
• Consumers Energy bill
• Property tax bill or proof of rent paid
• Landlord's name and address
• last year's tax returns (federal, state and city)

Arrival

When you arrive at the tax preparation site, you will be greeted and provided with a questionnaire. You’ll be directed to a desk where you can complete the questionnaire. When finished, you’ll be added to the tax preparation queue (there are no appointments; all tax returns will be prepared in the order in which they are added to the queue).

Tax Preparation and Review

When your name is called, you’ll be taken to a certified tax preparer. You and the preparer will look over the questionnaire that you completed and discuss any relevant issues that pertain to your tax position. The two of you will determine which returns need to be prepared, and then the tax return preparation will begin.

When the preparer believes that the tax returns are complete, a quality reviewer will detail review your tax returns. All appropriate changes will be made and your copies will be printed. You will keep all documentation that you brought, as well as the questionnaire that you completed upon arrival.

Processing

All federal, state, and city tax returns prepared by our site will be batched and e-filed with the appropriate government authority once per week. The agency will process your tax return and your refund, if applicable, will be paid according to its timetable. Occasionally, tax returns are rejected because of missing or incorrect information initially entered. If this occurs, then we will fix and resubmit the return or contact you for additional information.