- Save Some, Spend Some-Make the Most of Your Tax Return!
- Watch Laura and Liz talk about tax time on Fox44/ABC22!
- Overview-Tax Program
- Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)
- Contact Us at the Tax Preparation Program
- Do you want to volunteer to prepare taxes? Capstone needs you!
- VITA 2021 Tax Season Schedule
Save Some, Spend Some-Make the Most of Your Tax Return!
Many Americans look forward to tax time because it's an opportunity to use refunds to get ahead by prepaying for larger expenses, paying down existing debt, and purchasing goods that they otherwise are unable to afford during the year. It's also a great time for households to build an emergency savings account or make a deposit to a retirement account. This year, Capstone is encouraging all tax payers to deposit a portion of their refund into a savings account or a retirement account. Just think, 30-40-30! 30% to pay past debt, 40% for current use, and 30% for your future savings!
- If you have just a checking account, ask your bank or credit union to open a savings account that you can use to save part of your tax return, or call Capstone's Liz Scharf at 477-5215 or lscharf@capstonevt.org for recommendations on low-cost starter savings accounts.
- Not sure where to start with a retirement account? Liz can help you with that as well: Liz Scharf at 477-5215 or lscharf@capstonevt.org.
- Bring your savings account number and financial institution's routing number to a Capstone VITA site and we will set up the split deposit of your tax refund.
Let the tax season be your opportunity to jump start your financial future!
Watch Laura and Liz talk about tax time on Fox44/ABC22!
Laura Sudhoff, Tax Program Coordinator, and Liz Scharf, Savings and Credit Program Coordinator, talk about filing taxes and the importance of saving a portion of your refund at tax time.
http://www.mychamplainvalley.com/news/morning-show/money-matters-tax-season-tips/644244303
Overview-Tax Program
Capstone IS preparing tax returns this season. Due to Covid-19, all services will be provided by appointment only.
We have mailed an instruction sheet and forms with full details of the process to everyone who had their taxes done with Capstone last year. Please read the instruction sheet if you received an envelope from us.
If you did not have your taxes done with us last year or did not receive a tax program envelope, please call our dedicated tax line at 477-5148 and clearly leave a message with your name, address, and a good phone number. We will mail you the information you need to get started.
You may also email: cedinfo@capstonevt.org to request a tax packet; please include your name and mailing address.
Or download and print the three files below - the instruction page (covid tax proc.) and the two intake forms (IRS & Capstone).
NOTE: Neither the IRS nor Vermont are accepting or processing tax returns prior to February 12, 2021.
Our tax service will be available this year by appointment ONLY at our three Capstone offices in Barre, Morrisville and Randolph. We will not be available at any other locations.
We prepare tax returns for those whose annual income is up to $57,000 as well as those who are only applying for the Renter's Rebates or filing Homestead Declarations. We also prepare basic Schedule C's for the self-employed.
Want to prepare and file your own taxes? Those who wish to, may file their own return online by visiting www.irs.gov. You can use the IRS fillable forms or one of the free options. Please note the eligibilty provisions of the various options - many of the IRS filings are free but there may be a nominal fee for state filings. You may file free state returns at www.tax.vermont.gov including Vermont Renter Rebate, Homestead Declarations, and Income Tax Filing. Another option is the free IRS/VITA supported website: www.myfreetaxes.com
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)
We can NOT accept walk-ins or drop-offs this year due to Covid-19 protocols.
To get started, please call our tax line at 477-5148 to request a tax packet be mailed to you. Clearly leave a message with your name, address, and phone number. Or you may request a tax packet by email at cedinfo@capstonevt.org. Or you may download and print the following three files which are the same as the ones included in the tax packet.
During the active tax season, we cannot assist with prior year tax return preparation or problems. We are happy to do so once the season is over after April 15th.
Those who wish to, may file on their own online at the IRS (www.irs.gov) and Vermont (www.tax.vermont.gov) websites. You may also use the VITA-supported online taxsite www.myfreetaxes.com which will walk you through the process by asking questions.
Please call our tax line at 477-5148 with any questions or problems, such as a current year tax letter from the IRS or State. Please leave a clear message with your name and phone number and we will call back as soon as we are able. Please be patient. You may also contact us at cedinfo@capstonevt.org.
Contact Us at the Tax Preparation Program
For questions about our Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, contact cedinfo@capstonevt.org or call our Tax Line at 802-477-5148.
Do you want to volunteer to prepare taxes? Capstone needs you!
This tax season, Capstone is once again partnering with the IRS to be a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site. Through this program, community members volunteer to assist folks in preparing their tax returns. We also need volunteers to be "greeters", who welcome taxpayers and make sure they have brought all their paperwork.
No experience is necessary; orientation and training are offered in the months of December and January. We supply all of the materials and equipment for you to become an IRS-certified VITA volunteer. You gain a great skill while helping your community!
Volunteer commitment time is based on your schedule and availability, including at least one experienced preparer per shift. Typically, volunteer tax preparers spend approximately one day per week (4 hours), during the months of February through mid-April at a Casptone tax site location of their choosing.
If you are interested in this great opportunity to engage with your community, look no further than Capstone’s VITA program. Contact Laura Sudhoff, lsudhoff@capstonevt.org or 802-477-5176 our tax progam coordinator to learn more or to register to volunteer.
Please call our Tax Line for all other tax-related questions, comments or concerns: 477-5148
VITA 2021 Tax Season Schedule
Capstone IS providing FREE tax preparation for the 2021 tax season. Due to Covid-19 we have made changes to the procedures.
Most of the process will be remote, with minimal in-person contact by appointment only, following Covid-19 guidelines. You must wear a mask when you come to the office and should not come if you are feeling ill or may have been exposed to Covid-19.
Here's a brief overview of the tax preparation process:
- You complete the tax forms we provide - one from the IRS and one from Capstone and gather your tax documents.
- You call the tax line to make an appointment for a SHORT in-person interview and choose which Capstone office you want to come to - Barre, Randolph, or Morrisville.
- At your interview appointment, the VITA volunteer will review your materials to ensure everything is included. You will leave your tax documents with them. They will prepare your return remotely.
- The VITA volunteer will call you when the tax return is complete and set up an appointment for you to come in-person to sign your return and receive your copies of the tax returns. Both spouses need to sign on a "married filing jointly" return. The returns will then be filed with the IRS and State as appropriate.
We mailed a tax information envelope in January with forms and instructions to everyone who had their 2019 tax return prepared at Capstone. Please read the letter that was included with the forms.
If you did not have your taxes done with Capstone last year, or did not get an envelope, you may request to have a tax envelope sent to you (see below).
To Request a Tax Packet:
Please call our dedicated Tax Line at 802-477-5148 to request a tax packet. Please clearly leave your name, address and number and we will mail a tax packet in a plain, white business-size envelope.
You may request a packet by email at: cedinfo@capstonevt.org.
You can also download the forms and letter on the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) or Overview page using the navigator at the upper left.
After you Receive your Tax Packet:
Read the instruction letter
Fill out the two forms
Gather your tax documents
Call the Tax Line 802-477-5148 to make an appointment. Choose which Capstone Office you want to come to. Leave your name and number on the machine and we will call you back to set up a brief in-person, interview appointment to meet with a VITA volunteer.
Using our VITA tax service is FREE and you get your refund as quickly as you would from paid preparers.
Other things to know:
Everyone needs an appointment. We cannot accept walk-ins or drop-offs without an appointment.
Before coming in for your interview appointment to have your tax return prepared, please be sure you have ALL the required documents. Employers, banks and others who issue tax documents are supposed to provide them to you by January 31st each year.
All filers will need to present a photo ID for all adults on the return and Social Security CARDS for all people (including dependents) listed on the tax return. If married filing jointly, both spouses will need to sign the returns. And don't forget your checking and savings account numbers and routing numbers if you want direct deposit.
Our free tax filing service includes both Federal and State returns and is available to taxpayers with annual incomes up to $57,000. We also file for folks who only need a Renter's Rebate or Homestead Declaration. We prepare basic Schedule C's for the self-employed as well.
Our VITA volunteers are IRS-trained and certified. We use IRS-specified computer software to prepare your return. You then have the choice of having us e-file your returns or to print out the forms for you to mail. Likewise, you may elect to recieve your refund electronically deposited directly to your bank or have a check mailed to you.
Consider splitting your tax refund between your checking account and savings account! It's an easy way to save some money--you provide your account numbers and bank or credit union routing numbers, decide on an amount you want deposited to each account, and we will enter the information on the proper tax form.
For those interested in preparing their own tax return, you may file online by going to www.irs.gov and www.tax.vermont.gov. These sites have free options for some filiers. You may also use the VITA-supported free site: www.myfreetaxes.com which will walk you through the steps to filing.