The IRS's Volunteer Income Tax Preparation (VITA) program offers FREE basic tax return preparation for qualified individuals.  The VITA program has operated for over 50 years!  United Way of Frederick County's Prosperity Center is Frederick County's largest VITA site. We are committed to helping our neighbors with low and moderate incomes receive 100% FREE tax preparation support so they can get back their maximum refund and save more of their hard-earned money. VITA is a critical stop along the Pathway to Financial Stability! 

Our IRS-certified VITA volunteers will prepare and e-file taxes for eligible individuals completely free of charge at our VITA location! Appointments are required and you can make yours starting in January by simply dialing 2-1-1, a free line operated locally by the Mental Health Association of Frederick County. You may also call 866-411-6803 to reach the Frederick call center directly. 

In 2024, VITA completed 673 tax returns, bringing back $1.1 million in tax refunds to our ALICE neighbors.

Interested in becoming a VITA Volunteer to help ALICE households maximize their tax returns? 

Click HERE to learn more. 

You can also contact VITA Program Manager John Romani at jromani@uwfrederick.org for more information or to volunteer.

Want to help recruit more VITA volunteers to make a difference in our community? Download the flyer HERE. 

AM I ELIGIBLE FOR FREE TAX PREP?

If you earned less than $67,000 in 2024, you are eligible to have your taxes prepared and e-filed completely free of charge. 

HOW DO I MAKE AN APPOINTMENT?

Call 2-1-1, a free line operated locally by the Mental Health Association of Frederick County. You may also call 866-411-6803 to reach the Frederick call center directly. Appointments are required.

WHAT ARE VITA HOURS? 

629 N Market St Frederick, MD 21701 (Bernard Brown Community Room)

VITA appointments will be offered on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from January 27th through April 15th. Please call 2-1-1 to schedule your VITA appointment. All hours are subject to change without notice, depending on staff availability.

WHAT DO I BRING TO MY TAX APPOINTMENT?

Download FAQs and see below for what to bring to your VITA appointment:

• Proof of identification (photo ID)
• Social Security cards for you, your spouse and dependents 
• An Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) assignment letter may be substituted for you, your spouse and your dependents if you do not have a Social Security number
• Proof of foreign status, if applying for an ITIN
• Birth dates for you, your spouse and dependents on the tax return
• Wage and earning statements (Form W-2, W-2G, 1099-R,1099-Misc) from all employers
• Interest and dividend statements from banks (Forms 1099)
• Health Insurance Exemption Certificate, if received
• A copy of last year’s federal and state returns, if available
• Proof of bank account routing and account numbers for direct deposit such as a blank check
• To file taxes electronically on a married-filing-joint tax return, both spouses must be present to sign the required forms
• Total paid for daycare provider and the daycare provider's tax identifying number such as their Social Security number or business Employer Identification Number
• Forms 1095-A, B and C, Health Coverage Statements
• Copies of income transcripts from IRS and state, if applicable

This tax preparation checklist will help you ensure you have all required documents in advance of your appointment. 

For important information on Individual Tax Payer Identification Numbers (ITIN), including how to renew yours if you haven’t used it at least once on a federal tax return in the last three years or if your ITIN is expiring and needs renewed, click here.

You may qualify for the free Online Taxes resource if you:

• Earned under $72,000 Adjusted Gross Income (AGI), or
• Are eligible for Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), or
• Are Active Duty Military and earned under $72,000 AGI

You will qualify for a free state return if you qualify for the free federal return.

File your taxes for free online

Are you getting all the tax credits you’re eligible for?

EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT (EITC) TABLE:

• To claim EITC you must have what qualifies as earned income and meet certain adjusted gross income (AGI) and credit limits for the current, previous and upcoming tax years.
• Earned income includes all the taxable income and wages you get from working for someone else, yourself or from a business or farm you own.

TYPES OF EARNED INCOME:

• Wages, salary, or tips where federal income taxes are withheld on Form W-2, box 1
• Income from a job where your employer didn’t withhold tax including:
  • Driving a car for booked rides or deliveries
  • Running errands or doing tasks
  • Selling goods online
  • Providing creative or professional services
  • Providing other temporary, on-demand or freelance work
• Money made from self-employment, including if you:
  • Own or operate a business or farm
• Certain disability benefits received prior to minimum retirement age
• Nontaxable Combat Pay

WHO QUALIFIES FOR CHILD TAX CREDIT?

You can claim the Child Tax Credit for each qualifying child who has a Social Security number that is valid for employment in the United States.

To be a qualifying child for the 2024 tax year, your dependent generally must:

• Be under 17 at the end of the tax year.
• Be your son, daughter, stepchild, eligible foster child, brother, sister, stepbrother, stepsister, half-brother, half-sister, or a descendant of one of these (for example, a grandchild, niece or nephew).
• Not provide more than half of his or her own support for the tax year.
• Have lived with you for more than half the tax year.
• Be claimed as a dependent on your return.
• Not file a joint return for the year (or filed the joint return only to claim a refund of taxes withheld or estimated taxes).
• Be a U.S. citizen, U.S. National or a U.S. resident alien.
• Must have a Social Security Number that is valid for employment and is issued before the due date of your tax return (including extensions).

You qualify for the full amount of the 2024 Child Tax Credit for each qualifying child if you meet all eligibility factors and your annual income is not more than $200,000 ($400,000 if filing a joint return).

Parents and guardians with higher incomes may be eligible to claim a partial credit.

We work to educate eligible residents on the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit which can help working families leverage larger returns.

• Find Out If You Qualify For EITC
• Find Out if You Qualify for CTC

Do you know about the EITC tax refund delays?

If you are a taxpayer claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC), please read this. For another year, the IRS will begin releasing your refunds after February 15. To find out more about this important change, please click here.

Track My Refund

We're not leaving you behind! You can still file your taxes free of charge using United Way's free online filing service. To prepare your own taxes, click here, or visit MyFreeTaxes.com to prepare and file your federal and state taxes. No filing fees! Over the past eight years, MyFreeTaxes.com has helped over 750,000 taxpayers across the country claim every deduction and credit they deserve.

Click here to download the 2025 VITA flyer