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Neighbors gathered at an Omni Circle community event

VITA

Free Tax Preparation

Free tax preparation, designed for households making about $70,244 or less, a partnership between Omni Circle and the IRS. Every Saturday, February through mid-April.

See if VITA is right for you
Not sure? Ask us

Free, IRS-certified tax preparation

VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) is an IRS program that provides free, certified tax preparation. It helps more neighbors claim the credits they have earned, especially the Earned Income Tax Credit, and keeps more money here in the community.

If you don’t see yourself in that list, or your return is more complex than VITA covers, ask us anyway. Bonnie also runs Blazing Star Financial and may be able to help with your return there. We’ll tell you honestly what fits.

Who qualifies

  • Generally make about $70,244 or less
  • Persons with disabilities
  • Limited English-speaking taxpayers
  • 60 years or older
Full details on IRS.gov

Every Saturday · 1 to 4 PM

From the first Saturday in February through the last Saturday before April 15.

Where

Omni Circle
1301 SW Topeka Blvd, Topeka, KS 66612

Questions?

Call 785 422 7459 or email vita@omnicircle.org.

Can’t make it to Topeka? The IRS’s VITA/TCE site locator can help you find a free tax prep site near you.

What we prepare

Every filing status: single, married filing jointly, or head of household. Individuals, families, and international students. Here is what we can prepare, free.

Fully covered

  • Wages, salaries, tips, etc. (Form W-2)
  • Interest and dividends (Forms 1099-INT, 1099-DIV)
  • Retirement income (Forms 1099-R, Form SSA1099,RRB-1099, RRB-1099-R, CSA-1099)
  • State tax refunds and unemployment benefits (Form 1099-G)
  • Gambling winnings (Form W-2G)
  • Education credits (Form 1098-T)
  • Premium tax credit (Form 1095-A)
  • Child tax credit, earned income credit, and other miscellaneous credits
  • Application for individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN) (Form W-7)

Covered with limits

  • Capital gains and losses (1099-B), limited Schedule D
  • Self-employed income (Forms 1099-NEC, 1099-K), limited Schedule C
  • Cancellation of debt (Form 1099-C), limited
  • Health savings accounts (Form 1099-SA), limited
  • Adjustments to income and itemized deductions, limited
  • Sale of Home (Form 1099-S), limited
  • Foreign students and scholars, limited (select sites only)
  • Prior Year and Amended Returns, limited

What we won’t prepare

Some returns are outside what VITA volunteers are certified to do. If yours is on this list, we’ll tell you straight and point you to a tax pro who can help.

Out of scope

  • Schedule C with net loss, depreciation or business use of home
  • Complex Schedule D, Capital Gains and Losses
  • Forms 8615, 8814 (children’s unearned income)
  • Form SS-8 (determination of worker status for purposes of federal employment taxes and income tax withholding)
  • Parts 4 & 5 of Form 8962 (Allocation of Policy Amounts, Alternative Calculation for Year of Marriage)
  • Returns with casualty/disaster losses

Not sure if yours is on the list? These situations aren’t always a no. Call us and we’ll figure out what’s possible.

Call 785 422 7459
Email us

What to bring

Six things get you through the door. Bring what you have. If something’s missing, we’ll help you figure it out. The IRS’s full tax appointment checklist covers every situation.

  • Identification

    Photo ID and Social Security or ITIN documents for everyone on the return.

    • Original photo identification such as driver’s license, school, employer, military, or state ID for you and your spouse (if married)
    • Social Security cards or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number documents for you, your spouse, and dependents

  • Income documents

    Every income form you received, plus anything the IRS or Marketplace sent.

    • All Forms W-2 and 1099
    • Form 1095-A, if applicable
    • Information for other income

  • Last year’s return

    Your prior filing, plus IRS transcripts if you’re catching up.

    • A copy of last year’s tax return
    • For prior year returns, copies of income transcripts from IRS (and state, if applicable)

  • Birth dates

    For everyone listed on the return.

    • Birth dates for you, spouse, and dependents

  • Deductions, credits, and daycare

    Anything you plan to claim, and what you paid for childcare.

    • Information for all deductions and credits
    • Total paid to daycare provider and their tax ID number

  • Bank details and your spouse

    For your refund, and for signing if you file together.

    • For direct deposit of refund, proof of account and bank’s routing number
    • For married filing jointly, both spouses must be present

Have something more complicated?

These need a special appointment. Call us or email vita@omnicircle.org with what you’re dealing with and which years are involved.

Call 785 422 7459
Email us

  • An IRS letter

  • Prior years that still need filing

  • A balance owed you can’t pay

  • An amendment

Is VITA right for you?

Three quick questions. No wrong answers and no judgment.

Question 1 of 3
Did your household make about $70,244 or less last year?

Volunteer with VITA

VITA runs because people give their time. You can train to prepare returns, or help run the site on Saturdays. Either way, you are helping a neighbor get their taxes done.

Apply to volunteer

Questions about your taxes?

Call or email us. No judgment, no pressure. We’ll tell you honestly whether VITA fits your situation.

Talk to us