- 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 2019 Tax Season Schedule
- 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
Capstone Community Action can assist Vermonters with filing their Federal and State income tax returns. We serve taxpayers who had income in 2018 of up to $55,000. We also assist those who only need to file a Vermont Renter's Rebate or Homestead Declaration.
For 2018 returns, we begin filing taxes for the public starting the week of February 4, 2019 and will continue until Saturday April 13, 2019. We will have volunteer tax preparers in our Capstone office and the Aldrich Public Library in Barre, Kellogg-Hubbard Library in Montpelier, The new Capstone office in Morrisville, Brown Library in Northfield, Capstone office in Randolph, Vermont Law School in South Royalton and the Capstone office in Waitsfield, located in the Waitsfield United Church. A complete schedule with days and times for each location is posted on the "VITA 2019 Tax Season Schedule" page which can be found using the navigator bar to the left.
Want to prepare and file your own taxes? Go to: www.myfreetaxes.com No charge for those earning $64,000 or less; there may be a nominal fee for state filing for those who earn more.
Check back in January 2020 for information on filing your 2019 tax return.
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)
Capstone has been preparing tax returns for lower income central Vermonters for nearly 25 years. Dedicated volunteer tax preparers will help you electronically or traditionally file your federal and state taxes and ensure that you receive your Earned Income Credit, Child Tax Credit and any other credits for which you qualify. The VITA program is supported by the Internal Revenue Service and Capstone Community Action.
Capstone will begin filing 2018 taxes the first full week of February, 2019.
For more information, email cedinfo@capstonevt.org or call our VITA tax info line at 802-477-5148.
Please note that if you are married, filing jointly, you and your spouse must both sign your tax returns. All adult filers must show photo ID and have social security cards for everyone on their return.
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 teaming with the IRS to be a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site and we are actively recruiting volunteers to prepare and file 2018 tax returns for income-eligible central Vermonters.
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 they choose.
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 2019 Tax Season Schedule
The 2018 Tax Return Filing Season is over. However, if you have yet to file your federal or state personal income tax return for 2018 or an earlier year, a Renter's Rebate, or your Home Declaration, we can help! If you have received a letter from the IRS or VT Dept of Taxes, you can call us for assistance in responding.
Using our VITA tax service is Free and you get your refund as quickly as you would at paid preparers.
Our filing service includes both Federal and State returns and is free to all taxpayers whose annual income in 2018 was up to $55,000. We can also file for folks who only need a Renter's Rebate or Homestead Declaration. 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 directly to your bank or hae a check mailed to you.
Looking to Save Money? Consider splitting your tax return between your checking account and savings account! It's easy--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.
Before coming in to have your tax return prepared, please be sure you have all the required documents. 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.
See below for a complete list of items to bring with you for tax preparation (some may not apply to your situation).
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