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VITA Tax Preparation Assistance

Taxes can be overwhelming at times. We are here to help if you need it. CAA has the privilege of coordinating this program year after year with an amazing group of volunteers who are qualified professionals. Each year we publish a schedule of the locations and times the program is available throughout Butte County.

Still Recruiting Volunteers!

January 13, 2023

We need your help to file accurate tax returns, putting much-needed money back into families' budgets and benefiting our local community.  We especially need volunteers willing to certify for Advanced Tax Perparer.

Please carefully read the volunteer descriptions linked below, before applying. Training and background checks are required to be completed before your first day of service. Those with prior experience preparing taxes professionally or with the VITA program may be eligible for the Qualified Experienced Volunteer (QEV) test. This is a tax law certification that allows experienced VITA/TCE volunteers to certify on only new provisions and tax law changes as well as more complex tax situations encountered at sites.

Click here to register as a volunteer

 

Vita Service Availability and Schedule

Tax refunds on a tablet

As of January 30 2023, we are launching the VITA program for the tax season.  We are still looking for more volunteers to train in tax law and prepare taxes for our community's low-income, disabled, elderly, limited-English-speaking households who made less than $60,000 in 2022.  Please check back here and follow us on Facebook and Instagram for updates about the program.

IRS-certified volunteers provide free basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals. Volunteers are specially trained to help identify if you are eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), as well as other tax credits that can increase the amount of your tax refund.

We are accepting sign-ups through April 29.  Please see the "How to get started" section below.

VITA Flyer and Schedule for 2023

How to get started for our Chico sites:

  1. Check this list to make sure your tax return is in scope for our program
  2. To find out if you need to file a tax return, click here to visit the IRS' free Interactive Tax Assistant
  3. Learn about EITC on the IRS website
  4. Complete this online form to get in our scheduling queue
  5. If you have questions, please...
    • Call us at (530) 712-2600 and enter extension 215 or press * when you hear VITA
    • Email us at TaxPrep@buttecaa.com

How to get started at AAFCC in Oroville:

 

What to bring to your appointment

  • Photo ID
  • Social Security Card for you, spouse, and dependents
  • Dates of birth for you, your spouse, and dependents
  • If filing jointly, both spouses must be present
  • W-2, W-2G, 1099-R, 1099-Misc from all employers
  • Interest and dividend statements from all banks (Form 1099)
  • Forms 1095-A,B,C, and Affordable Health Care Statements
  • Last years federal and state tax returns
  • Bank routing and account numbers for direct deposit (e.g. voided check)
  • Total paid for daycare and daycare provider's tax ID number
  • Letters from IRS about advance Child Tax Credit and Economic Impact Payments

Tax Preparation Assistance (VITA): In collaboration with several community partners, including CSU Chico and CARD, CAA provides tax preparation assistance to hundreds of people each year, under an IRS-guided service known as VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance). The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offers free tax help to people who generally make $59,000 or less, persons with disabilities, the elderly and limited English speaking taxpayers who need assistance in preparing their own tax returns. We help over 1200 families annually to file accurate tax returns, putting needed money back into their budget and benefitting our local community.

March 2018

We have had our taxes prepared by volunteers at Durham, California several years in succession. We have felt our small tokens of thanks are inadequate and wish to recognize these tireless, talented tax specialists by passing along our appreciation to the CAA.

I know they do not want to be reimbursed in any way and would be embarrassed at the mention, but I am sure our sincere gratefulness is shared by the many who avail themselves of their cheerful services.

Thank you for recognizing the Tax Preparation volunteers and for offering their services to us.

Tom and Cheryl, Biggs, CA

Interested in VITA?

Are you a tax professional interested in helping your community? 
CLICK HERE to find out more about the program and how you can help.

Because of the free service, I got my taxes filed on time, I knew they were correct, and I got a great refund. Thank you so much.  - THOMAS Q.

Our Track Record

The VITA program was founded in 1971 by Gary Iskowitz at California State University Northridge. The program grew from a small number of accounting students to a now nationwide program serving millions of taxpayers. Butte CAA has been a key partner since 2003 in the expansion of the VITA program in Butte County.

Since 2010:

  • We have helped over 10,000 families get their taxes filed.
  • Tax refunds resulted in over $8 million (prior to 2021) flowing back into their hands and into our community.
  • Until the COVID outbreak, the program has grown year over year, and we have served as many as 1,200 families annually.
  • CSU, Chico continues to see this as a great opportunity for their students to gain valuable hands-on experience.
  • We provide the required training for every volunteer to be fully equipped to help.

In the 2021 filing season alone, we served 492 families.

Download a Full Recap and Analysis of Filing Season 2022