Free income tax assistance program announces document drop-off details, COVID-19 pandemic adjustments

Free income tax assistance program announces document drop-off details, COVID-19 pandemic adjustments

Salina’s free Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program announces the same location as 2021 and program plans due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sponsored by Salina Area United Way, the VITA program has implemented processes designed to protect the health and safety of trained volunteers and clients.

The VITA location is the Salina Area United Way office, 113 N. 7th Street. At VITA, for the free tax assistance.  Clients can pick up forms in the organization’s lobby to get the process started.  Only two individuals or one family will be allowed in the volunteer-staffed lobby at all times.  Clients may complete the Intake Form in their vehicle at the parking site or at home.  Detailed instructions on required identification documents are printed on the forms. The forms must be returned to the United Way lobby no later than April 7, 2022, for tax filing assistance. 

Once each client’s identity is confirmed, volunteers will make photocopies and safely store them with the required tax return documents. All documents will be in a secure space.

Clients will set an appointment time to return which will be approximately two weeks from the drop-off date.

IRS certified volunteers complete the individual’s tax return and phone him or her with any questions.  Clients will return to the VITA office, review, and sign their returns, and retrieve all personal documents. VITA volunteers will electronically file each return with the Internal Revenue Service.

VITA services are for moderate and low-income individuals and families (generally $56,000 annual income and below). VITA's IRS-certified volunteers can complete basic federal and Kansas tax returns, including figuring Earned Income and Homestead tax credits.

The Salina VITA program (exclusively drop off) begins Monday, February 7, and ends April 7, 2021. Drop-off hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturdays.

Additional VITA volunteers are needed.  Individuals interested in helping may contact the Salina Area United Way for this rewarding experience in assisting others.

More information about VITA, the free tax assistance program, is available by phoning (785) 827-1312.

Following is a general list of required documents for VITA assistance:

Government-issued photo identification cards for both the taxpayer and spouse (if joint return) and any dependents born on or before December 31, 2021.

Social Security Cards, or Social Security number verification letters or Individual Tax Payer Identification number letters for each taxpayer and each dependent on the return. Birth dates for all individuals listed on the tax return. The contact phone number for questions, review process appointments, and pick-up date.

Form 1095 for the Affordable Care Act medical insurance information. Wage and earning statements including forms W-2, W-2G, 1099-R, 1099-Misc. 1099-NEC for all 2021 employers. Tax documents related to gambling wins, pensions, IRA distributions, tuition payments, and Social Security forms. Interest and dividend statements, bank account, and routing numbers.

Record of stimulus payments received in 2021, and Economic Recovery Payment Forms 1444 and 1444-B if received. Day-care expenses and day-care provider information.  Real estate tax and personal property tax statements.  Documents related to itemization if relevant.  Homestead Tax Credit required owner’s property tax real estate tax receipts.  A copy of a 2021 federal and state tax return is helpful.

VITA volunteers cannot help taxpayers who have rental property, farm income, royalties, sale of business property, moving expenses, employee business expenses, military pay, claim depreciation, or have a loss on Schedule C (self-employment).

The mission of the Salina Area United Way is to Strengthen Our Communities. For more information about the Salina Area United Way, visit www.unitedwaysalina.org. To learn more about volunteering, call (785) 827-1312.