Volunteer Income Tax Assistance

COVID-19 UPDATE:

HRA will be providing FREE Income Tax Preparation assistance this year with COVID-19 restrictions. All sites are NOT open to the general public. Customers may choose to file their return with one of the two methods below:

Drop-Off Method

Customers can schedule an appointment to drop off tax return documents at a local VITA sites. An appointment is necessary in order to drop off your documents. You may wait in a vehicle until your return is complete or schedule a time to return to the site to pick up your documents.

Call today for your appointment: (860) 356-2000

Or schedule an appointment online

Virtual VITA Method

Customers can submit documents electronically through our secure Virtual VITA program.

Virtual VITA: Click here to find your site and complete your virtual tax return.

Increasing the number of families claiming the EITC
(Earned Income Tax Credit).

Last day to file tax returns:
April 15, 2021

Call for an appointment:
(860) 356-2000

Download program flyer »
-New Britain
-Bristol
-Farmington
-Meriden
-Plymouth
-Vernon
-Wallingford

Volunteer application»

Program offers:

Preparation and filing of annual tax returns by IRS-certified volunteers. All volunteers must be certified in Standards of Conduct (Ethics) and Current Tax Law along with other IRS required training. Training is updated annually.
Free of charge service to families and individuals whose total household income is $69,000 or less.

All information is kept strictly confidential.

Bring to Your Appointment:

Photo identification or Valid driver's license
Social Security cards or Individual Taxpayer ID Number(s) for all household members
Birth dates for you, your spouse and your dependents
Wage and earning statement(s) forms W-2, W-2G, 1099-R, from all employers
Interest and dividend statements from all banks (Form 1099)
Forms 1095 A, B or C, Affordable Care Act Statements
Copy of last year’s federal and state returns if available
Proof of bank account routing numbers and account numbers for direct deposit (blank check or a letter from your bank)
Other relevant information:
- Receipts from child care providers, with provider’s identifying number
- Education expenses and student loan information
- List of all business income and expenses, if applicable
Married taxpayers filing a joint return: both spouses must be present to sign required forms

Bristol, Farmington, Meriden, New Britain, Plymouth,
Southington, Wallingford, Vernon

Program Locations - See 2021 VITA Locations & Hours

7 Good Reasons to Become a VITA Volunteer:

You don't need to be an accountant & you don't need experience

IRS will train you - for free. Training will prepare you to pass the certification test

Flexible hours to fit your schedule

Convenient locations

You'll be proud to be part of a nationwide program that has helped low-income people file tax returns at no cost for 40+ years

Simply put, you'll feel good helping your community - and you'll have fun doing it with HRA's dedicated team that has been preparing returns since 2004.

It's easy to sign up!

15 YEAR VITA VOLUNTEER AMY GOLDSTEIN
RECEIVES HRA ANNUAL VOLUNTEERISM AWARD

Above: HRA Board President Cathy Baratta (left),
Amy Goldstein and HRA Executive Director Rocco Tricarico

Marlo Greponne & Juan Berrios

Marlo Greponne & Diannette Martinez

Diannette Martinez, Jeannette Garcia &
VITA volunteers

VITA Employee Team

New Britain High School Volunteers & Next Gen

Bristol VITA Team - Employees & Volunteers

Arch Street VITA Team - Employees & Volunteers

Oak Street VITA Team - Employees & Volunteers

Above: Oak Street Volunteers & Staff
Oak Street Volunteers & Staff file the most VITA tax returns in CT

Above: Arch Street Volunteers and Staff


Above: Bristol Volunteers	Above: Wallingford Volunteers

HRA VITA TEAM COMPLETES TAX RETURNS FOR VETERANS

Success Story

“Juanita” (fictitious name), a single mother, came out of jail after 120 days with nothing – except accumulating debt. She lost her 2 jobs, her apartment, her car and all of her furnishings. While she was in jail her mother took custody of her 2 boys, aged 17 and 9.

HRA’s VITA for Adults Program helped her get back on her feet by preparing her tax return. Between Earned Income Tax Credits (EITC) and other child tax credits, her tax refund was over $8,000. She paid off her utility debt and was able to put down a deposit and first month’s rent on a new apartment. Juanita was also able to purchase clothing for her children and the furniture she needed for her new home.

HRA’s help did not end with preparing her taxes. Juanita’s case manager helped her get one of her jobs back within one month of her release. She has a good full-time job and uses public transportation. In addition, her case manager helped her get food from HRA’s New Britain Food and Resource Center as well as SNAP and energy assistance.

Juanita’s mother lives with her and takes care of her children while she’s at work. Her oldest son participated in HRA’s Summer Youth Employment Program and she plans to participate in HRA’s IDA program so she can save for another car.

Contact Information

Juan Berrios, Community and Financial Services Program Manager

Volunteers - please visit the Volunteer Portal
for blogs and news updates.

Appointments: (860) 356-2000
Questions): (860) 612.3917
Fax: (860) 225.4843

For more information on tax preparation, visit the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) website.

Program funded by American Savings Foundation, United Way of Central and Northeastern CT, United Way of West Central CT, United Way of Meriden and Wallingford, United States Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service and United States Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Minority Health.