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Free Tax PrepAration
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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 $69,000 in Tax Year 2025. Our IRS-certified volunteers work with you to access credits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit, Child and Dependent Care Credit, and the American Opportunity Credit (higher education).
EligibilityOur VITA program operates within a certain scope of practice so we are unable to prepare all returns. Please see this document for what We Will Prepare and what We Will Not Prepare: IRS Publication 3676-A.
If you have a document that is not on this list of what we will prepare, please contact us at 603-924-6800 ext 30 to be sure we can prepare your return before you make your appointment at 2-1-1 or 1-866-444-4211. There are other situations that we are not able to prepare. If in doubt, please, please call us or use the Contact Form below. Appointment TypesWe know you're busy and you want options to fit your schedule. This year we have TWO ways for you to file your return!
1. Valet VITA (open to read more)
This is a 2-visit appointment.
2. Same Day VITA (not offered in 2026)
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. These appointments will not be available in the upcoming filing season. 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 DocumentsYour 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.
Individuals/Families: List of documents to bring
Keep your identity safe! Self-Employed: List of documents to bring
Bring all of the same applicable and required documents in the INDIVIDUALS/HOUSEHOLDS list, but also complete this: Self-Employment Tax Organizer (SETO) **You do not need to bring any receipts or bank statements because you will provide your income and expenses on the SETO form. You do need to keep them as documentation (receipts, etc) in case the IRS contacts you to verify your self-employment income and expenses. Do not email any documents or show us tax documents on your phone. If you are unable to print these documents before your tax appointment, most local libraries have print-on-demand services.
intake packetWhy do I have to fill out forms again? I did all of them last year. We are asked this question every year. The reasons are simple:
You may pick up an Intake Packet in the file bin located just outside of our office door at 9 Vose Farm Road in Peterborough. If you are unable to access the packet from that link, here are the individual forms. Please print all of them: Other filing optionsUnder the VITA program, we cannot recommend a specific paid tax preparer to you if we are unable to prepare your return. However, following is a list of options for finding a qualified tax professional or other tax preparation site:
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- TAX FILING SEASON CLINIC HOURS
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 scans to your return via our software's secure Customer Portal (ask us about this). Article: Protect Social Security Numbers (applies to all PII) 
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Frequently asked questions
I still have to file for 2022, 20XX. Will you prepare those returns too?
Yes, we can prepare those returns for you as well. 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.
- be present in order for us to prepare their return.
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 and don't have any of the acceptable forms showing your social security number, you can go online and request a replacement or go to the Social Security field office closest to you to apply for a replacement before we can prepare your return. Do this well before your appointment date. This is an IRS requirement for all VITA sites.
WORK AROUND: If you cannot locate your SSN card, you can still have your tax return done at our site for free, by using our DIY Taxes option where you are entering your own information in the same software that we use, with one of our volunteers guiding you along the way. In these situations, we are not allowed to enter the information for you.
NEW CLIENTS: If you are new to our program and don't have any of the acceptable forms showing your social security number, you can go online and request a replacement or go to the Social Security field office closest to you to apply for a replacement before we can prepare your return. Do this well before your appointment date. This is an IRS requirement for all VITA sites.
WORK AROUND: If you cannot locate your SSN card, you can still have your tax return done at our site for free, by using our DIY Taxes option where you are entering your own information in the same software that we use, with one of our volunteers guiding you along the way. In these situations, we are not allowed to enter the information for you.
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 IRS 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.
I don't see one of my tax documents on the list of what to bring. What should I do?
Call us at (603) 924-6800 or email [email protected] to ask about your form before making an appointment with 2-1-1.
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?
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. If you earned under the standard deduction for your filing status, but had federal taxes withheld from your salary, it's worth it to file. 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, these are two separate forms of ID required for us to do your tax return for the purposes of preventing ID theft and tax fraud.
Your unexpired passport, however, can be used as your government-issued photo ID that you must also bring.
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. Why do I have to fill them out again?
All VITA programs nationwide are required to have these forms completed every year to have access to the VITA program. Either the taxpayer can complete the form or a VITA volunteer can assist if needed.
Form 14446 Virtual VITA Taxpayer Consent details the Valet VITA process - how you schedule an appointment, who to call if you have questions, what documents are kept and where they are stored, basically the whole Valet VITA experience.
Form 13614-C Intake, Interview & Quality Review form is needed to gather all of the information we need to prepare an accurate return for you.
The River Center Supplemental Intake Form is used to gather information for The River Center to provide programs that reflect the needs of our community members and to provide our funders information about who we serve and why.
Form 14446 Virtual VITA Taxpayer Consent details the Valet VITA process - how you schedule an appointment, who to call if you have questions, what documents are kept and where they are stored, basically the whole Valet VITA experience.
Form 13614-C Intake, Interview & Quality Review form is needed to gather all of the information we need to prepare an accurate return for you.
The River Center Supplemental Intake Form is used to gather information for The River Center to provide programs that reflect the needs of our community members and to provide our funders information about who we serve and why.
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'd like to inquire about your eligibility and whether or not we will have the ability to prepare your return.
- Wednesdays (generally 1 pm - 7 pm)
- Fridays, 1 pm - 4 pm
- Saturdays, 8:30 am - 2:30 pm
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'd like to inquire about your eligibility and whether or not we will have the ability to prepare your return.
I forgot a form. Can I still get my tax return prepared?
Yes. We can invite you to use our Customer Portal which allows you to upload documents to your tax return for us to see and enter into your return. You will return at a later date to finalize the return and pick up your tax packet.
Become a VITA Volunteer
The River Center’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program provides free, high-quality tax preparation to individuals and families with low to moderate incomes. Each year, our trained volunteers help hundreds of community members and the two most important roles are that of the VITA Greeter and the VITA Preparer:
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VITA Greeter
As a Greeter, you’ll be the first friendly face our clients meet when they arrive. You’ll welcome them, help with check-in, and make sure they have the documents and forms they need before meeting with a tax preparer. You’ll also help keep the flow of appointments running smoothly by directing clients to the right place and answering simple questions about the process. What you’ll do as a Greeter:
Why this role matters: Not everyone feels confident walking into a tax site. As a Greeter, you set the tone by helping clients feel welcomed, respected, and at ease. Your attention and care make the process smoother for everyone and ensure families get the refunds and credits they deserve. What you need to volunteer:
Time commitment: Greeters typically serve a few hours per week during tax season (late January–mid-April). Flexible schedules are available. Join us and make a difference! By volunteering as a Tax Greeter, you’ll play a vital part in helping community members access free, trustworthy tax preparation services and the refunds that can make a big difference in their lives. |
VITA Preparer
Each year, our trained volunteer tax preparers help hundreds of community members file their taxes accurately and claim important tax credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC). As a Tax Preparer, you’ll meet directly with clients, review their tax documents, and prepare and electronically file federal and state returns using IRS-approved software. We provide free training and certification, along with plenty of support throughout the season. What you’ll do as a Tax Preparer:
Why this role matters: For many in our community, paying for tax preparation isn’t possible and doing it alone is overwhelming. By volunteering as a Tax Preparer, you’ll help families and individuals file correctly, avoid costly mistakes, and access refunds and credits that strengthen financial stability. What you need to volunteer:
Time commitment: Tax Preparers typically serve a few hours per week during tax season (late January–mid-April). Flexible schedules are available, and volunteers can serve at our tax site in Peterborough. Join us and make a difference! Your time and skills can help neighbors in our region save money, reduce stress, and gain access to the refunds they’ve earned while avoiding having to pay costly preparation fees to professional preparers. We always say, "Why pay if you don't have to?" |
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Contact form submissions are responded to on M-F. 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.
