San Bernardino County offers free tax preparation services to eligible individuals and families. Managing editor Tami Roleff fills in the details…
If your household earned income was less than $54,000 in 2015, you may be eligible for free tax help from the county through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. IRS-trained and certified volunteers will prepare and electronically file both your federal and California state returns at no charge. This program is focused on increasing awareness of the Earned Income Tax Credit, which most low-income taxpayers are eligible to receive. The program does not provide services for military returns, out-of-state returns, married filing separately, rental properties, and self-employment tax prep with business expenses. To make an appointment, call 760-361-8050 in Twentynine Palms; in Yucca Valley call 760-228-5328. For more information about the program, go hs.sbcounty.gov/VITA.
Bring to your appointment:
A valid government-issued ID;
For all other persons listed on the return, birth date and an original Social Security card or Tax Identification number letter (no copies);
W-2s for each job worked in 2015;
All 1099 forms
Year-end income for Social Security Insurance, workers’ compensation, and unemployment benefit;
Tuition expenses and interest statement for student loans;
Child care expenses, with provider’s name, address, phone number, and Tax ID or SSN;
Real estate property tax statement, or landlord’s name, address, and phone number;
Itemized deductions: charitable and medical expenses, mortgage interest statements, DMV registration statements
Copy of 2014 tax return;
Health insurance documents;
Voided check for direct deposit information
Both spouses must be present to prepare and file.
Taxpayers itemizing deductions must add up all expenses prior to having returns filed.
