Volunteer Tax Assistance
from Community Tax Aid

Appointment scheduling opens January 26.
Get ready now — we can’t schedule you if you’re missing documents.

NEW for the 2026 Tax Season

No more paper refund checks. Do you have an account and routing number for direct deposit?

IRS is discontinuing paper checks.
Make sure you have an account and routing number for direct deposit of your refund.
If you need to open an account here are some options:

- - - The national BankOn program has a list of banks and credit unions with accounts that meet the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund’s National Account Standards
    - The FDIC website has information on banks that let you open an account online and how to choose the right account.
    - Veterans can use the Veterans Benefits Banking Program for access to financial services at participating banks.

Did you purchase a new car in 2025 for personal use AND take out a loan to pay for it in 2025 AND make payments in 2025?

You might be eligible for a deduction based on the interest you paid.

You need to bring:

- - - - Statement from your lender showing the amount of interest the lender received from you in 2025.
      - The VIN for your car.

Did you receive overtime or tip income in 2025?

If you had "qualified" overtime or tip income, you might be eligible for a tax deduction. To see if you are eligible you need to know the qualified amount you were paid.

The following documents may show the number needed for the tax return:

- - Your W2
  - Final paystub or Leave and Earnings Statement for each job (For Federal Civilian Employees paid by DFAS, that is the 12/27/25 PPE Leave and Earnings Statement (LES))
  - Document from your employer giving your the amount, or telling you how to find the amount.

What you Need to Bring to Your Appointment

Required Documents

Your valid photo ID (and your spouse's photo ID, if filing a joint return)
Social Security Card or ITIN letter for everyone on the the tax return (unless filing for an ITIN). [See Details Below.]
Account and Routing Number for Direct Deposit The IRS is discontinuing paper refund checks. If you don't provide direct deposit information, your refund will be delayed by a minimum of six (6) ADDITIONAL weeks.
IP PIN. If If you’ve had an Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) before, the IRS sends you a new one each year. For the 2026 tax season, please look for the most recent letter they mailed you. You can also sign in to your IRS online account to view your current PIN. Learn more at: https://www.irs.gov/identity-theft-fraud-scams/retrieve-your-ip-pin
Your tax return from last year (if you have it).
Income information for dependents. If you claim dependents on your tax return, and they had any income during the year, bring their income documents, a list of their types of income and amounts, or ask them to be available by phone or text during your appointment.
If you purchased health insurance through the exchange/marketplace, bring form 1095-A.
Income Statements from working (W2, 1099, tax summary from your payment app (Uber/Lyft/DoorDash, etc.)
NEW for 2025: If you were you paid overtime or tips, we need to know the amount that may qualify as tax free. The following items may show the number we need:
- Final paystub or Leave and Earnings Statement for each job (For Federal Civilian Employees paid by DFAS, that is the 12/27/25 PPE Leave and Earnings Statement (LES))
- Document from your employer with the amount, or telling you how to find the amount.
Details of cash income. Such as a list of cash payments, dates received and who paid you, Venmo statements, etc.
Retirement Income & Disability Income.
All forms that report retirement income, such as a 1099‑SSA, 1099‑R, or 1099‑CSA
If you receive SSDI or payments from a former employer, bring your 1099-SSA, W2, or other document showing taxable payments.
If you did not receive your 1099-SSA, contact the Social Security Administration at 800-772-1213 or ssa.gov
Interest/Dividends/Capital Gains. Bring any 1099 forms from your bank, mutual fund, or broker. It’s also helpful to bring your December bank statement.
Any other forms you received (it is ok to bring too much information)

Documents and information for deductions and credits

Real Estate Taxes Paid. If you are a homeowner living in DC or MD.
Child Care Expenses. Name, tax ID, and amount paid for day care
Student Loan Interest. Information on the amount of INTEREST you paid on your student loans during the year
Education Expenses for college, university, certification programs paid by loan or out of pocket for you or your dependent.
- Be ready to log into your student account, of alert your dependent they should be available during your appointment to log into their student account.

Proof of Social Security Number or ITIN

You must bring documentation for every person listed on the return — you, your dependents, and your spouse if filing jointly.

For individuals with a Social Security Number, bring one of the following:

Options from the Social Security Administration:

- Social Security Card
- Social Security Statement [1099-SSA]
- Letter or notice from the Social Security Administration showing both full name and full social security number
  
  Need to replace a Social Security Card or download a document from the Social Security Administration?
  - How to create a social security account to provide proof of your number
  - How to replace a social security card.

Options from the IRS:

- Letter or notice from the IRS that contains your full name and your full social security number
- Be able to log into your IRS account at the tax site.

For individuals who have an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number), bring:

- The letter or copy of the letter issuing the ITIN.
- If you don't have the letter, you may be able to retrieve proof of the letter by creating an IRS account.

For individuals who need to prepare a tax return in order to apply for an ITIN

CTA tax sites can prepare the tax return you need to attach to the ITIN application.

CTA cannot help with certified copies of documents or submitting the application.

These organizations can assist both with preparation of your tax return and with preparing and submitting your ITIN application:

Montgomery County, MD (must be a Montgomery County resident). Contact vita@montgomerycountymd.gov
CASA de Maryland. Call: 240-491-5747
Catholic Charities. Find more information at: https://www.catholiccharitiesdc.org/program/financial-stability-network/

Google Sites

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Volunteer Tax Assistancefrom Community Tax Aid

Appointment scheduling opens January 26. Get ready now — we can’t schedule you if you’re missing documents.