1-22-24

Dates of Service  Our free tax preparation service is available January 31 - April 13, 2024 to create your tax returns for year 2023.  It's available to those who made $75,000 or less last year or $90,000 or less for those aged 65 and over. Customers can choose to make an In Person Appointment with a tax preparer or use our Virtual Service where you upload your tax documents for us. Please see our tax flyer in English, Spanish or Chinese for details or open the tabs below.

1-22-24 

Back Tax Service is now available year-round. Customers who still need to file taxes for years 2020, 2021 and 2022 can call 510-574-2026 to make an appointment.  For more information, visit our Back Tax webpage.

April 16, 2024:   Our current year tax service in three cities is now closed.  For tax preparation assistance, contact our BACK TAX SERVICE which is mentioned in the paragraph above. 

The VITA program assists low- to moderate-income households.  We can assist families with an annual gross income of up to $75,000 (or $90,000 for seniors aged 65+). However, due to complexity and time, we may be unable to process certain tax returns.

The following situations are out-of-scope for our VITA tax service, meaning we cannot create tax returns for these situations.  There may be other situations that are out of scope too,

• Married, Filing Separately
• Foreclosure/Short Sale
• Kiddie Tax (to be determined during VITA interview)
• IRA to Roth Conversions
• Sale of stocks acquired by stock options
• Sale of stock or mutual funds with over 16 transactions 
• Loan Modification
• Out of State Income
• Rental Income
• Sole Proprietor Business with expenses over $35,000, depreciation, losses, or office in the home
• 1040NR (Non-resident alien), except for Foreign Student with Visa F, J, M or Q

If your household income is over $75,000 (or $90,000 for seniors aged 65+), your situation may be out-of-scope for VITA services, meaning we will not be able to create your tax returns.

UPDATE:  Please see News item above regarding virtual service which ends on March 30. 

The following documents are required in order to prepare your tax returns.  Bring these documents to your tax appointment or upload these documents to us if using our virtual service:

• A Social Security card and/or ITIN for EACH family member.
  • Social Security card(s) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) card(s) or letter(s) for everyone you will list on your return.  Photocopies are accepted.
  • If you had your taxes prepared by a VITA or AARP site, then you may provide the first page of your prior year return as long as everyone you will list on your current year tax return is listed on your prior year's return.

• Valid photo ID for the main tax filer and spouse.

• If you are using our Virtual Service, a selfie of you holding your valid photo ID.  main tax flier and spouse must each provide a photo holding your valid photo ID.  The photo must be clear and the photo ID must be legible.

• SSA-1099 is also accepted.

• If married filing jointly, both filers must be present to sign the tax return.

•  Provide the following tax forms if applicable:

•  

  • Wages from Each Job (W-2)
  • Interest (1099-INT) (may be a separate form or included on a brokerage investment summary)
  • Dividends (1099-DIV) (may be a separate form or included on a brokerage investment summary)
  • Retirement Disbursements (1099-R)
  • Gambling Winnings (W-2G)
  • Unemployment (1099-G)
  • Social Security Benefits (SSA-1099)
  • Self Employment Income (1099-MISC, 1099-NEC, 1099-K)
  • Sale of Stock (1099-B). Consolidate your investment summary.
  • Tuition (1098-T) and online detailed student account statement of expenses paid to university/college

   

   

• Health Insurance Marketplace Credits: 1095-A.  If applicable:
  • 2023 Identity Theft PIN Letter from IRS
  • Records of charitable contributions
  • Homeowner mortgage interest (1098)
  • Property tax bill
  • DMV registration form
  • Interest you paid on student loans (1098-E)
  • Childcare or Dependent Care Expenses -  total amount paid, provider's business name, address, phone number, and SSN or tax ID number.
  • If you are self-employed, provide business income and expenses, including mileage log.
  • Rideshare Drivers should provide their 1099-NEC, 1099-K and online Tax Summary page.
  • If you plan to itemize, provide a summary sheet that includes both the total amount and description of your expenses.

Depending on the type of service you choose, an In-Person Appointment or Virtual Service, there's a different process for getting your documents and information to us. 

For In-Person Service, first book an appointment:

1. Online appointments can be made at http://calendly.com/ffrc (easiest option to get an appointment).
2. Leave a message at (510) 298-1796 for an appointment. Our phone schedulers will get back to you.

In-Person Tax Preparation Process

1. Both Main Filer and Spouse must be present otherwise we will not be able to prepare your return.  If spouse cannot be present, valid photo ID, social security card or ITIN card/letter, and tax documents must be available in order to prepare tax return.  Additionally, we will need to verify spouse ID via video call.  Also, spouse must sign e-file authorization forms in order for VITA site to electronically file the tax return.
2. Bring your valid photo IDs for Main Filer and Spouse and copies of your tax documents to your In-Person Appointment.  
3. A Social Security Card or ITIN card/letter for EACH family member.  
4. A Greeter will give you an intake sheet and liability form to fill out.
5. A Screener will sit with you to help you fill them out and ensure you have all documents ready.  If you do not have all documents, we cannot start your return and you will have to make a new appointment to come back another day.
6. You will meet with a VITA Tax Preparer who will prepare your return.
7. A Quality Reviewer will review the return for completeness and accuracy after it is prepared.
8. Once the review is completed, the VITA Tax Preparer will print out a hard copy of your return for you to keep and you will have to sign the 8879 e-file authorization form.
9. Once your return is signed, we can submit your return by e-file in 2-3 days.

For Virtual Service, Tax Preparation Process

Upload your tax documents to our Get Your Refund portal.

1. The virtual Tax  Preparer will call you by phone before beginning the return to ensure we have complete information.
2. The virtual Tax Preparer will enter tax data into our system software to prepare your return.  Tax coaches may be consulted in situations where the returns are complicated.
3.  A virtual Quality Reviewer will review the return for completeness and accuracy after it is prepared.
4. The virtual Quality Reviewer will then call you to explain your refund amount and have you sign the return digitally or will schedule an appointment to pick up a hard copy of your return and sign the 8879 e-file authorization forms at our physical site.
5. Once your return is signed, we can submit your return by e-file in 2-3 days.

 UPDATE:  Please see News item above regarding virtual service which ends on March 30. 

 1. For an In Person Appointment, Schedule an Appointment at one of our Three Locations (Fremont, Newark or Union City).

• Make your appointment by going to Calendly (easiest option to get an appointment); or, if you need assistance, leave a message at 510-298-1796 and a VITA member will call you back.
• Read the section above for the list of documents to bring to your appointment and details on the tax preparation process. 

2. For Virtual Tax Preparation, Upload Your Documents to the 'Get Your Refund' Platform 

• Upload your identity documents and tax forms to GetYourRefund.org/fremont.  Your return will be prepared by a virtual tax preparer.
• The Get Your Refund platform complies with IRS security standards and your information will be as secure as visiting one of our in-person tax sites.
• You are required to sign and upload the City of Fremont Consent Form before we start processing your return.  Please upload it to your file once you have finished the questionnaire on the GYR portal. 

• Spanish Consent Form
• Chinese Consent Form

We provide tax services at three Tri-City locations:

Fremont Family Resource Center

39155 Liberty Street, Bldg EFGH

Fremont, CA  94538

Wednesdays & Thursdays from 1-6pm, by appointment only

Union City Family Center

725 Whipple Road

Union City, CA  94587 

(Look for the VITA signs)

 Saturdays from 10am - 1:30pm by appointment only

Newark Senior Center

7401 Enterprise Drive

Newark, CA 94560

Fridays from 10am - 12pm by appointment only