VITA Tax Information
VOLUNTEER INCOME TAX ASSISTANCE
Beginning on Monday, February 1, 2021, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Programs (VITA) at both the Senior Resource Center and Carolina Beach locations will resume serving the community with our free tax preparation. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, we have implemented a process to minimize contact between taxpayers and VITA volunteers at each location, and are serving the public with a drop-off service only at the following locations:
Senior Resource Center: 2222 S College Road, Wilmington
Hours of Operation: Monday thru Friday by drop off appointment only
Appointments available between 9:00-11:00 am and 3:00-4:00 pm
To register for an appointment at this location, call 910-798-6416 (We will begin to return phone calls for appointments on January 25th and calls will be returned in the order they are received. Due to high call volume, calls will be returned within 24 to 48 hours.)
*Last available day for appointments is April 9, 2021
Carolina Beach Site: 300 Cape Fear Blvd, Carolina Beach
Hours of Operation: Monday thru Friday between 9:00-10:00 am and Saturday between 2:00-3:00 pm
This is a walk in drop-off site and form packets for this location are only available at this site.
Below are a few key points to consider:
- We are only preparing 2020 taxes during the month of February.
- The Senior Resource Center is a drop off site by appointment only. To schedule a drop off appointment at that location, call the appointment line at 910-798-6416. Calls will be returned in the order they are received.
- You will drop off all tax paperwork with required documentation, and will leave your information with us until your taxes have been completed. Taxpayers filing joint returns must both sign required documentation.
- You MUST bring photo identification (or copies) for each party filing the return, and MUST bring original Social Security cards, copies of Social Security cards or a Social Security Statement for all persons listed on the return, including dependents.
- Form packets may be picked up at any time outside the main entrance of the Senior Resource Center. ALL forms that require your signature(s) will be printed on yellow paper for your convenience.
- After drop off, a certified tax preparer will call you to verify your information and you will receive a few phone calls during the process to review your tax return.
- You will then return to the site to pick up your return and paperwork, and will be required to sign a consent for us to e-file your return.
For questions regarding tax preparation at either location, please call the Senior Resource Center at 910-798-6400.
COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q-Do I have to live in New Hanover County to have my taxes prepared at your location?
A-No
Q-I am filing joint with my spouse. Do both of us need to be there to drop off our information?
A-No, as long as both parties have signed all required forms, and the person dropping off documentation has a copy of both photo IDs and proof of social security to present at time of drop off.
Q-I am filing joint with my spouse. Do both of us need to be there to pick up our return once it is completed?
A-Yes. If you want your return electronically filed (which results in a faster refund), both spouses must be present to sign the form that authorizes us to electronically file your return.
Q-Will a passport work for photo identification?
A-Yes
Q-Do I have to be a senior to get my taxes prepared at your location?
A-Although our focus is to serve the senior population, we will prepare taxes for residents of any age.
RETURNS THAT WE CANNOT PREPARE
Please be aware that there are certain returns that the IRS does not allow us to prepare. These are returns that contain “Out-of-Scope” items or are more complex than we can handle given the volume of our activity and the need to assist as many taxpayers as possible. While the list of Out-of-Scope items is extensive, the primary Out-of-Scope items that would prevent us from preparing your return are:
You have income from property that you rented to someone else.
You have income from the sale of property other than your personal residence.
You have certain kinds of income reported on a tax form that is a “Schedule K-1” from a partnership, trust, or estate. For example, ordinary income or loss reported in box 1 of this form is Out of Scope. Investment income (interest, dividends, and capital gain) reported on a K-1 is generally in scope.
You have income that would be reported on a Schedule C (self-employment or business income) and after deducting your expenses, the Schedule C would show a net loss (your expenses related to the activity are more than the income).
You conduct a complex business that you report on a Schedule C. We can do Schedule C’s that involve simple operations like reporting the income of a service provider who is not an employee, but we are not able to do more complicated Schedule C’s that involve sales, substantial costs (like inventory, substantial supplies), substantial bookkeeping, etc. These returns must be done by a paid preparer.
You contributed property (such as clothing and furniture) other than cash to a charity and you want to claim that the value of the property is more than $500.
You have one or more complicated brokerage statement with complex items such as accrued interest, bonds, premium, etc. We can do simple brokerage statements but will not be able to accommodate returns with a significant number of brokerage statements or overly complex brokerage statements.
If you feel that you may have one of the Out-of-Scope items listed above, please call the VITA Program Coordinator at 910-798-6406 to discuss your situation prior to scheduling an appointment.