Santa Clara County / CALIFORNIA
Filling out income tax forms may be an overwhelming experience, especially for tax payers who are not fluent in English or lack resources to pay for professional guidance. The County of Santa Clara is encouraging low income, elderly, disabled, and limited English speaking taxpayers who may need help in preparing their tax returns to take advantage of VITA, the free nationwide Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program coordinated by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). VITA is available now at County libraries in Campbell, Cupertino, and Milpitas, and the Santa Clara County Social Services Agency CalWORKs Employment Connection Center.
“I have been a strong advocate for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program since it began,” said President Dave Cortese, County of Santa Clara Board of Supervisors. “The volunteers work hard to save money for thousands of low-income working families. Last year, VITA prepared more than 8,000 returns that resulted in $8.9 million in refunds and $1 million savings in tax preparation fees.”
The IRS, United Way Silicon Valley, 2-1-1 Santa Clara County, the County of Santa Clara, churches, nonprofits and other local organizations are working together to offer more than 40 VITA Tax Assistance sites throughout Santa Clara County. Trained IRS-certified volunteers will provide assistance in preparing basic forms (1040EZ, 1040A, 1040 with Schedule A, B, Limited Schedule CEZ, C and California State Income Tax Returns) in multiple languages, and facilitate e-filing or paper returns.
“Paying taxes is a responsibility that can be overwhelming for many taxpayers, especially for those who are not up to date with tax regulations, or cannot afford to pay for help,” said County of Santa Clara Supervisor Mike Wasserman, who was a professional tax preparer for 20 years.
“We are glad that Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program volunteers will be available in many sites, including three of our County libraries,” added Wasserman, a delegate for the County Library District Joint Powers Authority.
To qualify for the VITA assistance program, taxpayers must be working U.S. Citizens or permanent residents with a valid Social Security or ITIN number, and a combined household income of less than $54,000.
For more information about the tax preparation schedule and VITA sites near your house or work, call 2-1-1. Visit http://www.211scc.org/vita and click on the map to see locations throughout Santa Clara County. For listing of VITA sites and service details, visit http://www.211scc.org/vita-listing/
Each location will indicate if appointments are requested or if they can walk-in, or drop-off documents and pick up their complete forms later, or prepare their own tax returns with on-site volunteer help when needed.
Taxpayers need to bring the foll owing information to VITA sites:
·A photo ID (Passport, driver’s license, State ID) for self and spouse if married
·Social Security cards or ITINS for each person included in tax returns
·Proof of income: W2s, 1099s, 1098s, cash income, interest income, etc.
·Proof of expenses: childcare expense statement (with provider address and tax ID number),
medical expenses, property tax bills, etc.)
·2014 tax return (if available)
·Bank account number with routing number for direct deposit refund
·Household health coverage information (1095-A if bought through Covered CA)
·For married filing joint, both spouses need to be present to sign. (Volunteers will not be able to prepare returns for married taxpayers filing separately)
The Santa Clara County sites below are four of more than 40 locations available for VITA Tax Assistance:
Campbell Library
February 13 to April 16(Not open on March 15) Walk-in only – First- come, first served Assistance in English, Russian, Mandarin, Vietnamese and Cantonese 77 Harrison Avenue Campbell, CA 95008 Tuesdays from 6:00 – 8:00 pm. Saturdays from 10:00 a.m.-12: p.m.
Cupertino Library
From February 28-April 3 (Not open on March 27) Self-prep site with on-site help 10800 Torre Ave Cupertino, CA 95014 Sunday 2:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.
Milpitas Library
From February 13-April 9 (Saturdays only) Walk-ins (first- come, first-served) Assistance in English and Vietnamese 160 N. Main Street Milpitas, CA 94035 Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 12:30 pm.
Santa Clara County Social Services Agency CalWORKs Employment Connection Center
From January 27-April 14 Walk-in only – First-come, first-served Assistance in English, Spanish and Vietnamese 1879 Senter Rd. #10 San Jose, CA 95112 Wednesdays 10:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.Thursdays 10:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
