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Call 2-1-1 for free tax preparation and stop predatory refund loans!

United Way of Greater Chattanooga is partnering with the Urban League, the IRS, and the City of Chattanooga to provide free, accurate tax preparation to Chattanoogans who qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). Visit one of the conveniently located, free tax preparation sites.  CLICK HERE for a list of sites or call United Way's 211 for more information Have your taxes completed and filed by IRS certified tax volunteers. Get your money fast, without paying for it! You can even have your tax refund electronically deposited in up to three accounts*.

CLICK HERE for the most frequently asked questions about EITC.

Items to bring with you to complete your return:

• Photo identification
• Social Security Cards for the Taxpayer, their spouse and dependents, if applicable
• Birth Dates for primary, secondary and dependents on the tax return
• A copy of last year’s Federal and State returns if available
• Wage and earning statement(s) Form W-2, W-2G, 1099-R, from all employers
• Interest and dividend statements from banks (Forms 1099)
• Current year’s tax package, if you received one
• Other relevant information about income and expenses
• Total Amount Paid for Day Care
• Day Care providers Identifying number

To file taxes electronically on a married filing joint tax return, both spouses must be present to sign the required forms.

*Checking, savings and IRA account numbers (in your name), along with your bank’s routing numbers, if you wish to have your tax refund electronically deposited.

To have your taxes prepared free, please visit one of these convenient preparation sites:

Location	Address	Hours of Operation	Phone
Soddy Daisy Senior Center OPEN APRIL 15!	190 DuPont Street Soddy Daisy, TN 37379	Tues. 9 – Noon & 1 - 4 PM	Appointment Only 332-1702
Chattanooga State	Chattanooga State Accounting Department	Hours Vary, Call for Information	697-2541 Call for Information
Lannom Public Library OPEN APRIL 15!	312 North Collins Street Tullahoma, TN	Saturday, Noon to 4 p.m. Tuesday, 3 to 8 p.m.	Walk-in Only
Dept. of Human Services OPEN APRIL 15!	501 West 12th Street	Monday & Tuesday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.	757-5551 Walk-in Only
M. L. King Weed and Seed OPEN APRIL 15!	804 Central Avenue Chattanooga	Monday & Tuesday  5 p.m. to 7 p.m.	423-648-9334 Walk In Only
Northgate Mall Very Busy, please arrive early OPEN APRIL 15!	T. J. Maxx Shopping Center in the old Hobby Town Store	Monday 1 - 6 p.m. Tuesday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday noon - 4 p.m. Saturday  10 a.m. - 2 p.m.	Walk-in No Phone Calls
East Gate Mall Very Busy, please arrive early OPEN APRIL 15!	5600 Brainerd Road Chattanooga, TN 37411 In the Food Court	Friday, 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Noon to 4 p.m. Monday, 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, 4 to 8 p.m.	No Calls Walk In Only
Lone Oak Community Center	1278 US 127, Signal Mountain, TN 37377	Appointment Only	423-280-1394 Appointment Only
Tennessee Valley Federal Credit Union (Hamilton Place)	7442 Commons Boulevard Chattanooga, TN 37421	Tuesday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.	423-756-1762 or 503-0226 Appointment Only
K-Mart Store	Bradley County Mall Cleveland, TN	Sat., 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.	Walk-ins Only
Lee University Frank Walker business bldg	1112 North Ocoee Cleveland, TN	Sat., 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.	Walk-ins Only
Cleveland Community Cntr	1334 Church St., SE	Sat., 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.	Walk-ins Only
NE Recreation Center	264 Berry Street, NE	Sat., 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.	Walk-ins Only

Frequently Asked Questions about VITA free income tax preparation:

What's the catch?  There is no catch!  This is really a FREE service of the City of Chattanooga, the Urban League, the IRS, United Way and other community partners. 

When can I file my taxes with the VITA program?  Call NOW! ALL sites will close on or about April 15th.

Do I need to make an appointment?  It depends on which site you visit.  Some require appointments, others ask that you just walk in.

Who will complete my return?  All sites are staffed by volunteers that have been trained and certfiied by the IRS.  Many of them have been doing taxes for many years.  The Chattanooga VITA program has an error rate of less than 1% (.2%)

Can the VITA program do a tax return older than 2006?  No.  The VITA program will only complete returns from the current tax year.  Please call the local IRS office at 855-6460 for information about completing prior years returns.

Do I make too much money to participate in this service?  As long as you make less than $40,000 a year you can have your taxes completed at a VITA site.  VITA is specifically for low- to moderate- income families and individuals.

How long does it take to get my refund?  It will take from 7 to 14 days for you to get your refund if you choose to have it directly deposited into an account.  If you decide to have a check mailed to you, it may take a bit longer.  If you have not received it within 30 days, please visit the site where you had your return completed to ask about the delay or call the Urban League at 756-1762.

Is my information confidential?  Yes, your information will be held on password protected computers for the duration of the program, then deleted.  All remaining documents will be forwarded to the IRS.

Can I claim a really, really distant relative on my return if they lived with me for the summer?  We are not authroized to give advice about completing specific returns;  however, you can call the local IRS office at 855-6460 and they will answer any questions you may have.

One of the VITA sites messed up my taxes!  Call 211 for a referral to someone who can fix the problem for you.

Can VITA sites do direct deposit?  Yes.  The VITA sites can deposit your refund directly into your checking or savings account.  You will need to bring in your account numbers and the routing numbers for your financial institution.  If you don't have a checking or savings account, your VITA volunteer can give you a voucher for a free checking or savings account from Tennessee Valley Federal Credit Union.

I don't trust direct deposit.  Can I get a check?  Yes.  The VITA volunteer will just ask you for your current mailing address so that you can receive your check.

Just what is EITC, anyway?  EITC is the Earned Income Tax Credit.  The U.S. EITC is a refundable tax credit that supplements the earning of low- and moderate- income workers.  Your VITA volunteer will let you know if you qualify for the credit.

I live in Georgia, but work in Tennessee.  Can VITA do my taxes?  Yes.  The VITA sites are set up to complete Georgia Income Taxes, but it's best to visit or call the site prior to your appointment to make sure that the volunteers there have downloaded the software patches necessary to complete Georgia returns.