Volunteer Income Tax Assistance

SSCAC's Volunteer Tax Assistance Program typically starts in the first week of February and runs through the end of the the tax season in April.

SSCAC's team of IRS-certified volunteers provides free electronic income tax return preparation and filing for low-income tax-payers. Our volunteers assist with both federal and Massachusetts income tax returns, as well as amended and prior-year returns.

Since our VITA program started in 2007, we've grown to assist approximately 700 taxpayers each year, resulting in $1.4 million in refunds each year. The average federal tax refund for those served by our VITA program is $2,073.

How It Works

• You must pick up and complete SSCAC's VITA Tax Packet prior to handing off your tax documents. The VITA Tax Packet can be picked up at SSCAC's main office at 71 Obery Street. Packets are kept in the white box attached to a gray VITA mailbox located outside of the side entrance to the VITA Tax office. The VITA Tax Packet includes an Interview Form, Survey, Tax Document Checklist, and a Virtual Agreement.

• After you have completed all forms and collected all needed tax documents, you can use the Tax Packet envelope to return all of your forms and required documents by placing it in the secure, gray VITA mailbox.

• A VITA Coordinator will contact you with any questions and/or when your tax return is complete for you to pick up.

Please Collect The Following Documentation

• Proof of identity (photo ID) for yourself (and your spouse if married filing jointly).
• Proof of Health Insurance Coverage (Form 1095-A, B or C).
• Health Insurance Exemption Certificate, if received.
• Social Security cards for you, your spouse, and dependents you will claim on your tax return. If you do not have Social Security cards, you can provide documentation from the Social Security Administration that shows Social Security numbers for yourself and/or members of your household.
  
• 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.
• If you are applying for an ITIN, you must bring in proof of foreign status.
• Birth dates for you, your spouse, and dependents on the tax return.
• All wage and earning statements (Form W-2, W-2G, 1099's) from all employers.
• Interest and dividend statements from banks (Form 1099).
• A copy of last year's federal and state returns, if you have them.
• Proof of bank account routing and account numbers for direct deposit, such as a blank check or account statement.
• If you had day care expenses last year, bring in the total amount you paid for daycare, the name and address of your day care provider, and the daycare provider's tax ID number, such as their Social Security number or business Employer Identification Number (EIN).
• If you had any capital gains or losses (from dividends, stocks and bonds, exchanges, etc.) last year, documentation of gains/losses.
• If you paid rent last year, bring in the total amount you paid in rent.
• If you had debt cancelled last year, Form 1099-C.
• If your Head of Household is over 65, you may qualify for the MA Circuit Breaker Credit. Bring total real estate tax paid last year AND total water & sewer paid to city/town last year.
• If you had education expense last year, bring your 1098-T form from the educational institution.
• If you paid any student loan interest last year, bring your student loan bills/statements.
• If you have any rental property that you own, SSCAC cannot file your tax return.

VITA Service Area

Volunteer Income Tax Payer Assistance is available to residents from South Shore Community Action Council's primary service area: Carver, Duxbury, Halifax, Hanover, Hingham, Hull, Kingston, Marshfield, Middleborough, Norwell, Pembroke, Plymouth, Plympton, Scituate, and Wareham

If you do not live in one of the communities listed above, click here to find a VITA Tax Preparation Sites near you.