Eligibility, Instructions, & Required Documents

Filing Eligibility

  • Approximate household income of $74,000 or less (check with your local site).

Instructions

  • Schedule an appointment with your local site.
  • Regularly check the website for the most up-to-date schedule of VITA/TCE sites.
  • If you cannot attend your appointment, please cancel as early as possible and reschedule your appointment.
  • Make sure you have all the required documents to prepare your tax return.
  • Bring a pen to complete forms and sign your tax return.

Required Documents List

Identification
  • Photo ID and spouse’s if filing jointly (driver’s license or passport).
  • Social Security Cards or Individual Taxpayer ID Numbers (ITIN) for each family member included on the return.
  • If married and filing jointly, both spouses must be present to review and sign the tax return.
Income
  • W-2’s for wages, W-2G’s for gambling income.
  • 1099’s for interest, dividends, unemployment, state tax refunds, pension or 401-K distributions, and other income.
  • Records of revenue from self-employment, home-based businesses, and/or side hustles.
Expenses
  • 1098’s for mortgage interest, student loan interest, tuition, and/or statement of property taxes paid.
  • Statement of College Student Account showing all charges and payments for each student on the return.
  • Childcare or dependent care receipts, including a tax ID number, phone number, and address for the provider.
  • Records of expenses for self-employment, home-based businesses, and/or side hustles.
Other Documentation
  • Bank routing numbers and account numbers for direct deposit/direct debit (name must be on the account).
  • Health insurance statement - form 1095-A from the Health Insurance Marketplace.
  • Last year’s tax return is required for MyFree Taxes, Facilitated Self Assistance, or self-preparation.
  • Real estate or property tax statements if you own your home and/or property in Nebraska.
  • Verification letter if you are a volunteer firefighter or EMT in Nebraska.
  • Verification letter if you are a Nebraska childcare provider and eligible for credits.

Out of Scope
  • CANNOT prepare the return if reporting CRYPTOCURRENCY without Form 1099
  • CANNOT prepare the return if a DEPRECIATION SCHEDULE is required or a SCHEDULE F (farm) is required
  • CANNOT prepare a return with CASUALTY or theft loss
  • CANNOT prepare the return if SELF EMPLOYMENT or HOMEBASED BUSINESSES have:
    • A NET LOSS
    • SELF-EMPLOYMENT, SEP, SIMPLE or QUALIFIED RETIREMENT PLANS
    • More than $35,000 in EXPENSES
    • EMPLOYEES

Sites MAY be able to:

  • prepare a return with SCHEDULE E (rental income) or SCHEDULE K-1 (partnership or trust income)
  • prepare a return with income from DIVIDENDS, CAPITAL GAINS, or MINIMAL BROKERAGE TRANSACTIONS
  • prepare MULTIPLE STATE RETURNS

COVID-19 Guidelines

  • Follow local health department guidelines at the time of your appointment.
  • For everyone's health and safety, please wear a mask or reschedule if you do not feel well.