Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program

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Woman helping client with taxes

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

Chandler’s 2022 Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program helped 922 low- to moderate-income individuals, including elderly and disabled individuals claim more than $1.5 million in tax refunds for the 2021 tax year. The refunds may not have been received without the help of more than 44 dedicated volunteers who invested 2,100+ hours assisting these families despite the COVID pandemic.

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

All VITA sites are now closed and no longer preparing tax returns.
If you need assistance with your taxes, please contact Mesa United Way at 480-834-2122.

 

2023 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 Buddhist Tzu Chi and the CGCC Sun Lakes sites 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.

  • 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
  • Social Security and Pensions statements – Form SSA-1099 and 1099-R
  • Interest, Dividend, and Stock Transactions – Form 1099-INT / -DIV / -B
  • Contributions to non-profit 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 1099-T and expenses
  • Health Insurance Info - Form 1095-A if you purchased insurance from the marketplace
  • 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: Tuesdays | 4 - 7 p.m.

Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation
2133 W. Elliot Road
Hours: Saturdays | 9 a.m. to noon
Appointments will have first priority at this site.
Schedule Appointment

The Chandler CARE Center
777 E. Galveston St.
Hours: Friday | Noon - 4 p.m. 
Saturdays | 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
This site will be closed Feb. 18, April 7 and April 8, 2023.

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 15, 2023.

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 17 and April 7, 2023. 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 April 7, 2023.

Salvation Army Chandler
85 E. Saragosa St.
Hours: Tuesday and Thursdays | 5 - 9 p.m.

Sunset Library
4930 W. Ray Road
Hours: Mondays and Tuesdays | 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
This site will be closed Feb. 20, 2023.

Resources

Questions?

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