FAQs and Taxpayer Resources
Choose what VITA service option is best for you:
Schedule an appointment for in-person full-service or drop-off options
Utilize our 100% virtual VITA option through GetYourRefund
Prepare your own return for free using our TaxSlayer online software
Services start Monday, January 23, 2023. Schedule your appointment now from our website.
Our VITA travel team is here to make VITA services even more accessible to your clients. Racine County organizations/service providers/employers are invited to host a pop-up VITA site on a Tuesday during tax season that works best for their clients and/or staff. You will work with Lori Riffer, Initiatives Manager, to determine the time and type of service delivery that would work best for you, your clients and your space. We offer Facilitated Self Assistance (FSA) where clients do their own return, using our free software, while having the support of certified volunteers to answer questions and guide them through the process or drop-off which allows us to collect documents and do intake interviews on-site in order for our volunteers to prepare off-site and return finished tax returns to the client on a later date. Hosts are responsible for advertising the service and booking appointments. All informational materials will be provided. Click HERE to sign up to host a pop-up VITA site.
You can also promote VITA services to your staff, clients and employees by informing them about our available services. We have both digital and paper flyers, posters and appointment scheduling business cards. We would be happy to provide you with materials to display or distribute. Click HERE to request promotional materials.
VITA offers a variety of tax service options including in-person full-service, in-person drop-off, DIY software and 100% virtual. Please see the website for a description of services and additional information.
Yes. We would be happy to help you file for Homestead through our in-person and virtual options.
Blank Wisconsin 2022 rent certificate can be found HERE. Your landlord will need to complete their portion of the form; including signature and date.
Instructions for the Wisconsin Homestead Credit can be found HERE if you decide to complete the form on your own.
Please submit your question(s) to our IRS-certified VITA volunteers via email at taxhelp@unitedwayracine.org. Please do not send or attach any personally identifiable information such as tax documents, social security number etc. via email.
Have these documents available:
- Current photo identification (driver’s license, state ID or student ID).
- Social security cards or ITINs for you, your spouse (if married) and any dependents you are claiming.
- If filing joint, both taxpayers must be present. Returns cannot be completed until signed by both taxpayers.
- All wage and tax statements, including the following forms:
- W-2 (employment)
- W-2 G (gambling winnings)
- 1099-R (retirement)
- 1099-G (unemployment)
- SSA-1099 (social security)
- 1099-INT (interest)
- 1099-DIV (dividends)
- 1098-T (tuition)
- 1095-A if you receive health insurance through the marketplace.
- Any other tax document(s) you’ve received.
- If you paid for childcare, provide a statement from your provider.
- Bank information for direct deposit (routing and account number).
Homestead credit is available to Wisconsin residents with an income under $24,680. If filing for Homestead, you will also need:
- Your property tax bill or completed rent certificate.
- Social security benefits, including:
- federal and state SSI
- SSI-E
- SSD
- caretaker supplement payments
- Wisconsin Works payment documents.
- Child support amount received from the year you are filing.
In order to use our virtual VITA services you will need to have access to texting or an email address. Here's a video with instructions on how to set up a free Gmail account.
To check on the status of your federal refund:
Have your tax return handy so you can provide your social security number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), filing status and the exact, whole dollar amount of your refund.
Online: IRS.gov
Phone: 1 (800) 829-1040
To check on the status of your state refund:
Please have ready your Social Security number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) used to file, the exact amount of the refund, and the tax year of the refund.
Online: WI.gov
Phone: 1 (866) 947-7363
Email: Visit WI.gov for their email form.
Mailing addresses can be found at the following links:
Wisconsin Department of Revenue: DOR Tax Return Mailing Addresses (wi.gov)
Federal: WISCONSIN - Where to File Addresses for Taxpayers and Tax Professionals (irs.gov)
Please connect with the Racine Financial Empowerment Center (FEC) on their website or by calling (262) 200-0831. Through free, one-on-one, professional financial counseling, the Racine FEC can help you take control of your debt, deal with debt collectors, improve your credit, create a budget, save, connect to safe and affordable financial products and much more. Services are available to all City of Racine residents regardless of income.
Only 4 out of 5 eligible workers file for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). 20% are missing out on this valuable credit to increase their refund. Average EITC amount for Wisconsin taxpayers in 2021 was $2,243.
What is the EITC?
The earned income tax credit (EITC) is a refundable tax credit for both federal and Wisconsin tax returns. You may qualify for the EITC if you worked last year but earned a low or moderate income. The EITC is a refundable tax credit, which means that even if you don't owe any tax, you can still receive a refund.
Do I qualify for the EITC?
To qualify for the credit, your adjusted gross income (AGI) must be below a certain amount, and you must:
- Have a social security number (SSN) valid for employment by the due date of your return (including extensions). (If you're filing a joint return, your spouse also must have an SSN valid for employment.) If you don't have an SSN by the due date of your return (including extensions), you can't claim the EIC on either an original or an amended return, even if you later get an SSN.
- Have a filing status other than married filing separately.
- Be a U.S. citizen or resident alien all year, or a nonresident alien married to a U.S. citizen or resident alien and filing a joint return.
- Not file Form 2555 (related to foreign earned income).
- Not have investment income over $3,650.
- Have earned income from employment or from self-employment.
- Not be a qualifying child of another person. (If you're filing a joint return, your spouse also can't be a qualifying child of another person.)
If you qualify for the credit, the amount of your EITC will depend on your filing status, whether you have a qualifying child (and if so, how many) and the amount of your wages and income last year. Qualifying children must be listed on Schedule EIC (Form 1040) PDF.
To see if you qualify and for how much, see the EITC qualification assistant.
For more information, see Publication 596, Earned Income Credit and visit Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
Did you receive a letter from the IRS about the EITC?
What other credits could I qualify for?
If you qualify for the EITC, you may also qualify for other tax credits.
Check the status of your stimulus payment and get the most up-to-date information at IRS.gov.
Yes! You have the option to request a link to access the free TaySlayer software OR go to MyFreeTaxes to connect to the TaxSlayer software. For TaxSlayer, there is an income cap of $73,000.
Para traducir la información de esta página, abra el sitio web y haga clic con el botón derecho en el sitio web. A continuación, le dará la oportunidad de traducir al inglés. Puede hacer clic en el traducir el icono a la derecha de la barra del navegador para seleccionar el idioma al que desea que se traduzca la página (por ejemplo, español). Una vez que haga clic en el botón azul "FILE NOW" arriba, GetYourRefund.org está disponible en español.
Sí. GetYourRefund está disponible en inglés y español. El programa VITA tiene preparadores de impuestos bilingues disponibles para ayudar a los clientes con la preparación y presentación. Citas son fácil: 262-383-2555.
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