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Free Tax PrepArationOur tax clinic is now closed and is no longer accepting appointments if you are looking to have your return done today. Please scroll down to "Other options for tax preparation" to file your return online or contact us for more information.
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Eligiblity |
Appointment Types |
Required Documents |
Other Ways to File |
FAQ |
Volunteer |
Value |
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Don't pay for tax preparation if you don't have toThe River Center's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program offers free tax preparation to eligible individuals and households with incomes of around $67,000 in Tax Year 2024. Our IRS-certified volunteers work with you to access credits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit, Child and Dependent Care Credit, and the Additional Child Tax Credit.
Call to check your eligibility and to schedule your appointment!
Eligibility
There are other situations that we are not able to prepare. If in doubt, please, please call us or email [email protected]
Appointment TypesWe know you're busy and you want options to fit your schedule. This year we have THREE ways for you to file your return!
1. Valet VITA (open to read more)
This is a 2-visit appointment.
2. Same Day VITA (open to read more)
With a traditional VITA appointment, you meet with volunteers who will prepare and review your tax return, you finalize your return for e-filing and you leave with a copy of your completed and signed tax return. Pros:
3. DIY VITA (open to read more)
Skip the wait and prepare your return yourself with our software. E-file for free. Pros:
Required DocumentsWhat to bring to your appointmentYour tax return is only as accurate as the information you provide to us so make sure you have all of your required documents before you schedule an appointment AND when you come in for your appointment. See below for what you need to bring.
You can fill out the forms for Tax Year 2024 online, download the file to your device and then print before your appointment:
Other ways to file
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TAX FILING SEASON CLINIC HOURS (as of February 1st)
SAVE THE DATE:
IMPORTANT: Do not email any documents with personal identifiable information (PII) such as tax documents, copies of social security cards, etc. We will delete the email and ask you to bring in the documents in person or send you an invitation to upload to your return via our software's secure Customer Portal in our software (ask us about this). Keep your identity and information safe! 
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Frequently asked questions
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I still have to file for 2022, 2021, 20XX. Will you prepare those returns too?
Yes, we can prepare those returns for you as well. However, we may only have time at your appointment for your 2023 tax return. Your other years will be prepared as Valet VITA returns (see above) and you will need to fill out a different intake form for each year. Ask the greeter or preparer to provide them to you. Can I bring my son/daughter/other relative to have their return prepared too?
Yes! They will also need to have their own appointment, have all of their required documents and identification, and be present in order for us to prepare their return. If you are self-filing, you may give someone else permission to file your tax return. VITA sites cannot do these returns in any form. I can't find my social security card. Do I need to bring it?
Yes, all taxpayers are required by the IRS to show their social security cards (or copies) to prevent identity theft. Alternatively, you can provide Form SSA-1099 from the Social Security Administration. NEW CLIENTS: If you are new to our program, have lost or misplaced your card and don't have any of the acceptable forms, as a NH resident you must go to the Social Security field office closest to you to apply for a replacement before we can prepare your return. Other states may allow you to apply online for one. This is an IRS requirement for all VITA sites. Can I sign the return for my spouse?
Generally, no. Your spouse must sign the return and e-file authorization form themselves unless Form 2848 Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative has been prepared in advance or you and your spouse are known to the site. If your spouse is unable to sign for themselves due to injury or disease and you are known to the site, please let us know when you schedule your appointment and let the volunteer preparer know when you arrive. Your spouse may also come on a different date convenient to them to finalize your return. I made an appointment and now I can't make it/I filed my taxes myself/I don't want the appointment. Do I need to call?
Yes, PLEASE! We have limited appointment spots available and so these spots are hot items. Call us ASAP at (603) 924-6800 ext 30 to call and/or reschedule no later than 24 hours before your appointment Someone else prepared my return last year and I didn't have to fill out all of these forms.
We follow VITA requirements at this VITA site and failing to do so could mean consequences for the volunteer working with you or the site such as losing our funding or risking the closure of our site. |
Can I just drop off my tax documents and come back at a later time?
Valet VITA Appointments: These are also sometimes referred to as "drop-offs" but it's not that simple. The IRS requires each VITA site to have filers fill out an intake form, and other necessary forms. All filers must then participate in a discussion with a Volunteer Tax Preparer to go over your answers on the form and your documents before you leave, in order for our volunteers to prepare your return accurately. We adhere to IRS requirements, regardless of how you've had your return prepared elsewhere in the past. I haven't seen my refund yet. What do I do?
If you are getting the Earned Income Tax Credit, your refund will be released by March 3. You can check the status of your refund here. Do I have to file?
If your income is below the standard deduction for your filing status, you generally don't have a filing requirement. Go here to use the IRS tool to determine if you need to file.
Can I bring my passport instead of my social security card?
No. Your unexpired passport, however, can be used as your government-issued photo ID that you must also bring. I already filled out these forms last year.
All VITA programs nationwide are required to have an intake/interview form (Form 13614-C) completed for every tax return prepared. Either the taxpayer can complete the form or a VITA volunteer can assist if needed. This intake form is required so that the volunteer preparers have the necessary information needed to complete an accurate return. If you are participating in Valet VITA or you need to leave your documents with us because you need to get more information, you will have other forms to fill out. Ask about these forms. Why can't I just drop by and have someone do my taxes?
The VITA program is powered by volunteers--people in the community such as your neighbors, your friends, your bank teller, a family member, anyone! Our VITA Clinic is open during tax season on:
During the off-season (after April 15), we have very limited availability to prepare tax returns as our volunteers are no longer on site. Contact us if you have any questions. |
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Contact form submissions are responded to on M-Th. If you have a more urgent request, please call us at (603) 924-6800 or email [email protected] directly. If you are experiencing an emergency please call 911.
