VITA FREE Tax Prep Service

 

 

The Tax Filing Deadline is Monday, April 15th.

 

 

 

United Way's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance service (VITA) puts money back into the pockets of working families. Our goal is to make sure you get your FULL refund, claim all your eligible credits, and learn to use taxes to grow your assets!

Our IRS-trained volunteers offer FREE Tax Prep for families and individuals who earned less than $64,000 in 2023! You can count on VITA volunteers to provide the highest quality tax service to families, individuals, and self-employed taxpayers. 

Use this Tax Prep Checklist to help you prepare so you are ready to file and maximize your refund. 

You have two ways to file for free:

  1. File for free online at MyFreeTaxes.org
  2. Schedule in-person help with a VITA volunteer. Please see our list of 2024 sites below

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2024 VITA Sites

Sites and schedules are subject to change

**LAST UPDATED: WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2024**
 

 

Download the Flyer! (English and Spanish Version)
United Way Monterey County VITA Free Tax Prep

 

 

POP-UP SITES

 
Site Address Operation Date/time
Monterey Bay Central Labor Council 931 E. Market St, Salinas, CA 93905

FRIDAY, MARCH 29
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

United Way Monterey County

232 Monterey St, Salinas, CA 93901
Upstairs

MONDAY, APRIL 1
4:00 PM - 7:00 PM

CET Salinas 24 East Alvin Dr, Salinas, CA 93906

MONDAY, APRIL 15
TAX FILING DEADLINE!
5:00 PM - 8:00 PM

 

 

WALK-IN SITES

 
Site Address Operation Date/time First/last date of operation
Center for Employment Training - Salinas 24 East Alvin Dr., Salinas, CA 93906

Drop Off Services
Wednesdays 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm

2/7-4/10

Cesar Chavez Library

615 Williams Rd., Salinas, CA 93905

Same Day Services
Saturdays, 11:00 am - 3:00 pm

2/10-4/13
Hartnell College- Alisal Campus 1752 E. Alisal St. RM ac-205, Salinas, CA 93905

Same Day Services
Saturdays 9:00 am -12:00 pm

2/10-4/13 Closed on 3/30
Hartnell College - Main Campus 411 Central Ave., Building B, Rm 110, Salinas, CA 93906

Same Day Services
Thursdays, 5:30 pm-9:00 pm

2/8-4/11 Closed on 3/28

 

 

APPOINTMENTS

Appointments for the 2023 tax season are now full. Please refer to the Walk-In or Pop Up sites for free tax preparation.

 

 

 

 

 

Orange Divider Line

 

Updates for Taxes Paid in 2023

 

Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on Unsplash

California Earned Income Tax

California Earned Income Tax (CalEITC) is a cash tax credit that puts money back into the pockets of California’s working families and individuals. In its first year, CalEITC boosted the income of about 385,000 families, who shared almost $200 million from the cash credit. CalEITC helps working families get ahead. Studies show that young children in households that receive the EITC do better in school, are more likely to attend college, and earn more, brightening the future of the next generation.

 

Number of Qualifying Children CA Maximum Income CalEITC (up to) IRS EITC (up to)
None $30,950 $285 $600
1 $30,950 $1,900 $3,995
2 $30,950 $3,137 $6,604
3 or more $30,950 $3,529 $7,430

 

Two Preschool kids sitting smiling at the camera

Young Child Tax Credit Expansion

  • Maximum amount of Credit of $1,117 for tax year 2023.

  • Credit starts to phase out as earned income exceeds the threshold amount of $25,775 and completely phases out at $30,932.

  • For individuals with no earned income, there is a cap of $33,497 for the net losses.

Foster Youth Tax Credit

  • Maximum amount of credit for tax year 2023 is $1,117 per individual.

  • Refundable Credit

  • Credit starts to phase out as earned income exceeds the threshold amount of $25,775 and completely phases out at $30,932.

Eligibility

  • Was in foster care placement while 13 years of age or older

  • Is between the ages of 18 to 25 by the end of tax year

  • Is eligible to claim CalEITC in the taxable year of credit

 

 

Are you interested in being a VITA Volunteer?

Please visit our VITA Volunteer page to learn more about training opportunities and to volunteer at a free tax site near you!