Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)

1. The IRS is not releasing refunds containing Earned Income, Education or Advanced Child Tax Credits until February 18th, 2023 

   • No matter where you file, who with, or when your refund will not be released before the 18th.

2. Identity Protection PIN's are now available to everyone, not just those who have had their Social Security numbers compromised.

   • Go to Get An Identity Protection PIN on IRS.gov

3. All unemployment received is taxable 

1. W-2 - Wages from jobs

2. 1099-R's - Retirement Income - If Box 2 on your 1099 is Blank (or Zero) - more information may be needed.  See 1099-R on Tax Filing Resources page.

3. SSA-1099 - Social Security Statement

4. 1099-MISC forms - Rents Awards, & Royalties

5. 1099-NEC forms - Self Employment

6. 1099-INT or 1099-DIV - Interest & Dividends

7. W-2G's - Gambling Income

8. Any other types of income documents applicable to your tax return

   • Scholarships, etc...

   • Income which you may not have documents, but are required to claim

1. 1099-NEC forms

2. 1099-MISC forms with Box 7 Non-employee Compensation

3. Mileage

   • No commuting miles - Commuting = Home to work and back

   • Gas receipts for equipment count

   • Gas receipts for driving - do not count

4. Expenses 

   • Tools, Advertising, Fees, Supplies, Taxes, Insurance, Repairs, etc.

   • We do not do expenses for use of home office space

   • We do not calculate utilities or phone use as an expense

   • Personal lunches/meals do not count as expenses unless you are on an extended work trip

5. Please have all amounts in the above listed categories totaled before coming in for your appointment

6. Use worksheet under the Tax Filing Resources tab to help organize and calculate expenses

1. Address of rental property

2. Original Cost of the home & Date of the first time it was rented out

3. Land Value at time of Purchase

4. Rental Income Received  - Statement and/or Form 1099-MISC form with Box 1 - Rent

5. Expenses 

   • Advertising, Mileage, Insurance, Mortgage Interest, Taxes, Repairs, Supplies, Utilities, Depreciation, etc.

6. Have all income and expenses totaled under the applicable categories (listed above) before arriving at the tax office for your appointment

Tax Filing Resources

1. Rental Property

2. Self Employment

3. Gambling Winnings

4. Education Credits

5. 1099-R's

6. Expense Calculators

Once Your Return Has Been Accepted

Access Refund Status through the IRS2Go app or on the website:

·        IRS2Go app

·        Website:  https://www.irs.gov/

o   Get Refund Status

o   Check My Refund Status

o   Enter Required Information

Where’s My Amended Return?

·        Website:  https://www.irs.gov/filing/wheres-my-amended-return

1. When to check…

o   Your amended return will take up to 3 weeks after you mailed it to show up on the IRS system.

o   Processing it can take up to 16 weeks.

2. What you need…

o   Social Security Number

o   Date of Birth

o   Zip Code

o   Select Amended Return Status

o   Select OK

o   Enter Required Information

o   Select Continue

o   Select Applicable Tax Year

•   If no tax year is showing, your amended return hasn’t been received yet or was processed over 3+ years ago.

Should You Call the IRS?

Expect delays if you mailed a paper return, had to respond to an IRS inquiry about your e-filed return, claimed an incorrect Recovery Rebate Credit amount or used 2019 income to claim the EITC or ACTC.  Otherwise, you should only call if it has been:

·        21 days or more since you e-filed.

·        “Where’s My Refund” tells you to contact the IRS

DO NOT file a 2nd tax return.