Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program

Woman helping client with taxes

In collaboration with Mesa United Way and Azura, the VITA program provides free tax preparation to low- and moderate-income taxpayers, seniors, and those with disabilities.

Chandler’s 2023 Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program helped 1,032 low- to moderate-income individuals, including elderly and disabled individuals claim more than $1.6 million in tax refunds for the 2022 tax year. The refunds may not have been received without the help of more than 62 dedicated volunteers who invested 2,800+ hours assisting these families. The number of returns and volunteers each represents a 40% increase over the previous year.

Residents still may use MyFreeTaxes.com to file basic taxes for free.
 

VITA Program Volunteer Opportunities

We’re now recruiting volunteers for the 2024 tax season (tax year 2023) that begins late January 2024. No experience is necessary, just the spirit of volunteerism! We will train you. Training will start in November 2023 for both experienced and new preparers. Please use the link below to get started today!
Sign Up Today

All VITA sites will be open starting Jan. 29 to April 13*, 2024.

2024 Tax Season

Most of our VITA site will no longer require appointments this tax season. However, please stay home if you are not feeling well or have recently been exposed to COVID-19. Only the CGCC Sun Lakes site will have reservations. Clients can walk-in to the sites during their scheduled hours of service. However, the last intake will be one hour before closing during each session.

All documents must be provided in printed form, not emailed or on a mobile phone.

  • REQUIRED (no exceptions): Social Security Cards (or ITIN cards or ITIN letters) for all members of the household
  • Picture Identification for taxpayer (and spouse, where applicable)
  • Proof of all income including W-2 and 1099 forms, and self-employment records
  • Expenses related to self-employment including Uber, Lyft, etc., reports
  • Unemployment statements - 1099-G
  • Social Security and Pensions statements – Form SSA-1099 and 1099-R
  • Interest, Dividend, and Stock Transactions – Form 1099-INT / -DIV / -B
  • Contributions to nonprofit organizations, churches, and schools including AZ credits
  • Child Care Information record of payment with provider’s name, address, and tax ID#
  • Child Tax Credit Payments - IRS Letter 6419 reports payments received during 2021
  • Stimulus Payments for 2020 and 2021 – Notice 1444 /–b /–c or IRS Letter 6475
  • Advanced Child Tax Credit Payments for 2021 – IRS Letter 6419
  • Direct Deposit Information, including bank name, routing and account numbers (name on account must be taxpayer name)
  • Education Information including 1098-T and expenses
  • Health Insurance Info - Form 1095-A if you purchased insurance from the Affordable Care Act (HeathCare.gov)
  • Prior year tax returns if available (federal and state) – not required… but may be useful
  • Any letters received from the IRS or State Department of Revenue
  • If filing a joint return, both spouses must be present to sign the returns
  1. Select one of the site locations below. If it requires an appointment, then follow the instructions on the website. Or you may visit Mesa United Way to see all of the active sites. You can also download the Intake and Consent forms and fill them out before you come to the site, which is highly recommended.
  2. Sign-in at the site and completely fill out the Intake Sheet (3 pages) in your car or assigned waiting area (if you did not fill them out in advance). 
  3. Sign the four Consent forms and ensure ALL the required tax documents are open and out of the envelopes BEFORE coming to see a volunteer: Social Security Card or ITIN Card/Letter (for ALL persons), Picture ID (for Taxpayer and Spouse) AND prior year's tax return (if available).
  4. If you have itemized deductions, expenses or mileage for self employment, please calculate to the totals for each category before you come to the site. It is your responsibility to provide the totals.
  5. Tax Preparation will be completed, in most cases, while the client waits.  The client will be informed if they can wait or need to return to pick up their return on another day, generally in one week.
  6. BOTH the taxpayer and spouse MUST be present to sign their return. This may be on the same day or a scheduled pick-up date in the future.

AZCEND Chandler
345 S. California St.
Hours: Wednesdays | 4 - 7 p.m.

Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation
2133 W. Elliot Road
Hours: Saturdays | 9 a.m. to noon

The Chandler CARE Center
777 E. Galveston St.
Hours: Fridays | Noon - 4 p.m. 
Saturdays | 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
This site will be closed Feb. 16-17, March 29-30, 2024.

Chandler-Gilbert Community College, Pecos Campus
2626 E. Pecos Road, RM LIB-104
Hours: Wednesdays | 6 - 9 p.m.
This site will be closed March 13, 2024.

Chandler-Gilbert Community College, Sun Lakes Center
25105 S. Alma School Road
Hours: Fridays | 9 a.m. to noon
This site will be closed March 15 and 29, 2024. Sun Lakes residents: Please make appointments at the admin desk of Sun Lakes Country Club, 25601 N. Sun Lakes Blvd.

Hamilton Library
3700 S. Arizona Ave.
Hours: Thursdays and Fridays | 9 a.m. to noon
This site will be closed March 29, April 11-12, 2024. This location begins service on Feb. 1 and ends on April 5.*

Salvation Army Chandler
85 E. Saragosa St.
Hours: Thursdays | 1 - 6 p.m.

Sunset Library
4930 W. Ray Road
Hours: Mondays and Tuesdays | 9 a.m. to noon
This site will be closed Feb. 19, 2024. Open only through April 9.*

Resources

Questions?

Please email VITA or call Mesa United Way at 480-834-2122.