The VITA program at the University of Illinois, in partnership with Salt
& Light, will once again offer FREE income tax assistance to seniors 60+.
The University of Illinois’ Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program offers FREE tax assistance to low- to moderate-income (gross income less than $57,000), elderly (over age 60), limited English speaking taxpayers, and those with disabilities.
How to Access:
- Bring identification and tax documents to Salt & Light (1819 Philo Road, Urbana) during VITA drop-off hours. During this visit, a trained volunteer will conduct a brief interview, verify your identity as required by the VITA program, and scan relevant tax documents to a secure Box folder.
- Following your visit, students from the Gies Department of Accountancy, trained through the IRS VITA program and supported by Gies faculty, will prepare your tax return while in their virtual classroom.
- You will receive a telephone call from the student preparation team if they have additional questions or when they are ready to review your tax return with you.
- After speaking with the preparation team and asking any questions you may have, you will be directed to return to Salt & Light to pick up a printed copy of your tax return and sign documents authorizing the team to file your returns electronically.
Starting February 18, materials can be dropped off at:
Salt & Light (1819 S. Philo Rd.)
Tuesday 1–7 pm | Wednesday–Saturday 1–5 pm
Curbside service is available.
Here’s what to bring:
- Proof of identification (photo ID)
- Social Security cards for you, your spouse and dependents
- An Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) assignment letter may be substituted for you, your spouse and your dependents if you do not have a Social Security number
- Proof of foreign status, if applying for an ITIN
- Birth dates for you, your spouse and dependents on the tax return
- Wage and earning statements (Form W-2, W-2G, 1099-R,1099-Misc) from all employers
- Interest and dividend statements from banks (Forms 1099)
- Health Insurance Exemption Certificate, if received
- A copy of last year’s federal and state returns, if available
- Proof of bank account routing and account numbers for direct deposit such as a blank check
- To file taxes electronically on a married-filing-joint tax return, both spouses must be present to sign the required forms
- Total paid for daycare provider and the daycare provider’s tax identifying number such as their Social Security number or business Employer Identification Number
- Forms 1095-A, B and C, Health Coverage Statements
NOTE: Appointments are limited and will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis.
Questions? Call 217-300-4784 or email vita@business.illinois.edu.
More information is available at the VITA website.
Self-assistance help available via ZOOM
New this year, VITA will no longer be preparing non-resident returns through the full-service VITA site. Instead, they will offer a self-assistance VITA site for all non-resident filers needing to file a Form 1040-NR and for any other taxpayer that would like to prepare their own tax return but may need some guidance. Self-assistance sessions will be held during March. A schedule will be posted HERE when it is available.
- Through the self-assistance site, you will access a Zoom room where you will be provided a link to use the Tax Slayer software, the same preparation software used by the Gies VITA team, to prepare your own tax return.
- The Zoom room will be staffed with VITA volunteers that will be able to help answer your questions as you work through the process.
- This will allow you to complete the basic steps on your own at a faster pace while still being able to access help as needed.
- It will also afford you the use of software not available through other IRS Free File programs.