298 Participants (Some for multiple years)
VITA Tax – Free, trusted tax help is now available through CRCD
The CRCD offers free tax help through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program for individuals and families in South Los Angeles and across Los Angeles County. VITA provides no-cost tax preparation by volunteers who are trained and certified by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). On this page, you can learn who qualifies for free tax help, what documents to bring, how to schedule an appointment, and what tax credits you may be eligible to receive. If you have questions or need support, CRCD staff are here to help you take the next step.
You may qualify for VITA Tax if:
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You earned $67,000 or less last year
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You have a simple tax return. What’s a Simple Return?
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You want help filing federal and California state taxes
Joseph Mariscal participated in CRCD’s first VITA Site Tax Preparation Pilot Program. The VITA Tax Preparation program is an IRS-certified income Tax assistance program in which Volunteer tax preparers assist current and former foster youth in preparing and filing their taxes for free.
The program focuses on ensuring they get the refund they deserve, including the Federal and State Earned Income Tax Credits, and on whether they can file/correct previous years’ returns.
Being a young adult out of the child welfare system, he was grateful to meet Alexis Obinna, one of our Volunteer Tax preparers, who stated, “I loved the VITA program. It was very empowering explaining people’s refunds and supporting my community. I enjoyed being a part of the positive change I was able to contribute.”
And that is what Joseph Mariscal received. He was not advised that certain income received needed to be claimed. When the Financial Coach conducted the quality review for Joseph, they noticed that he owed the state approximately $500. The coached reached out to Joseph and asked if he was able to pay those funds by his deadline. He then explained that he is currently working part-time and is a full-time student, but is struggling to make ends meet.
CRCD VITA Tax Program helped Joseph pay his IRS debt so he could focus on starting his new school semester at California State University, Los Angeles, without the burden of dealing with it.
Joseph and CRCD worked on establishing a budget to find strategies for ensuring all his priorities are met and he has funds to pay for his education expenses.
Why Use VITA?
People choose VITA because it is:
- Free
- No hidden fees
- You keep the money you earn
- Trusted
- Volunteers are trained and certified by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
- Accurate
- VITA tax returns have a high accuracy rate
- Supportive
- Staff answer questions and explain each step
Our Impact
$682k in tax refunds
$2,173.62 Average refund amount
298 Participants (Some for multiple years)
$682k in tax refunds
$2,173.62 Average refund amount
298 Participants (Some for multiple years)
$682k in tax refunds
$2,173.62 Average refund amount
Common Questions
What if I don’t have a bank account?
- You can still file your taxes
- Direct deposit is faster, but staff can explain other options
What if I don’t have a Social Security number?
- You may file using an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
- Staff can explain the process
How long does it take to get my refund?
- Direct deposit is usually the fastest
- Paper checks can take several weeks
Can I get help in another language?
- Language support may be available depending on the site.
What Does “Simple Tax Return” Mean?
VITA can help if your tax return does not include:
- Rental property income
- Business depreciation
- Partnership or trust income
- More than five stock sales
- Married filing separately status
If you are unsure, you can still ask. Staff can help determine if VITA is right for you.