Find out if you qualify for free tax prep
Please answer the following questions to determine whether you are eligible for VITA Lancaster’s free tax preparation services.
- Was your household income in 2025 $70,000 or under?
If you answered no, you are ineligible. - Do you have social security cards for everyone on your tax return?
All taxpayers will need to bring a Social Security card and/or ITIN number for
everyone on the return, even if you were at the same site last year. If you answered no, you are ineligible. - Do you have income from a rental property, claiming a loss from a business or own
a farm?
If you answered yes, you are ineligible. - Do you use accrual-based accounting or have inventory?
If yes, then you do not qualify. - Do you have clergy pay?
If you answered yes, you are ineligible. - (With the exception of students and scholars) If this is your first year in the United States, were you a resident less than 6 months in 2025?
If yes, then you do not qualify.
If you believe you qualify, review the preparation checklist below and visit THIS LINK to schedule your appointment.
Please bring the following to your VITA tax appointment:
- You MUST have a valid, working phone number with voicemail set up.
- Government issued photo ID for you and your spouse. (Cannot be expired)
- Social Security cards (or a copy) for you, your spouse and dependents that you are claiming. If filing, Married
- Filing Separate, you must have spouse’s name, social security number, and date of birth to electronically file federal and state returns. An Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) assignment letter may be substituted for you, your spouse and your dependents if you do not have a Social Security number.
- Identity Protect Pin 6 digit number.
- All forms of income received. Examples (Form W-2, W-2G, 1099-R, 1099-Misc, 1099-K, 1099-NEC, Social Security statement, 1099-INT, 1099-DIV).
- A copy of last year’s federal and state returns OR Copies of income transcripts (if you don’t have the previous years’ return) from the IRS and state.
- Bank routing numbers and account numbers for direct deposit.
- To file taxes electronically on a married-filing-joint tax return, both spouses must be present to sign the required forms.
- If you are self-employed, you will need to also file a Schedule C. Bring business mileage.
- Health Coverage Statements: Forms 1095-A, B, and/or C.
- Any letters received from the IRS.
- Total paid for day care provider and the day care provider’s tax identifying number (the provider’s Social Security number or the provider’s business Employer Identification Number).
- Mortgage interest (Form 1098), property taxes.
- Charitable contributions.
- Student loan interest, education expenses.
- Out of pocket medical payments, includes Medical, Dental, Vision, Hospital and Pharmacy.
