Tax Preparation 2024

Every year, free tax preparation assistance is available for households meeting certain income requirements. Taxpayers can call 211 to schedule an appointment for tax prep assistance or to be connected with tax prep resources that may not require an appointment. Income and eligibility requirements vary between different tax prep providers. 

 

Providers that 211 WNY is booking appointments for in 2024 will be listed at the bottom of this page as they become available, with links to provider-specific details and contact information. Rather than calling 211 to book an appointment, taxpayers can also opt to book an appointment for these providers online here.


All tax prep assistance providers, including those that 211 WNY is not booking for, will be listed here as they become available.

 

 

There are a few different types of free tax prep programs which take place at different sites:

  • VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) - Offers free tax preparation assistance to low- and moderate-income individuals and families. The upper income limit varies from site to site.
  • AARP/TCE (Tax Counseling for the Elderly) - Prepares taxes for low income people but gives special attention/preference to those aged 60 and older. Sometimes an AARP site only serves seniors.
  • FSA - Offers a place for taxpayers to file online for themselves with a volunteer available to assist and answer questions. The taxpayer does the return themself.
  • Online Free Tax Prep - Allows taxpayers to file online at home or anywhere with internet access. The taxpayer does the return themself.

 

 

VITA and AARP tax assistance can either be In-Person or Drop-Off. 

  • In-Person - Taxpayer stays with the tax preparer for the duration of the time it takes to prepare the taxes.
  • Drop-Off - Taxpayer will have a brief on-site intake interview, leave their physical documents with the program (with the exception of things like driver's license and/or social security card), and return at a later date to pick up and review their completed return. 

 

 

When attending a tax preparation appointment, taxpayers should generally bring the following documents with them, though additional documents may be necessary for a given provider (refer to the provider-specific links listed towards the bottom of this page for specific requirements of a given provider):

  • Proof of identification (photo ID)
  • Original Social Security Cards (not copies) for you, your spouse, and dependents or a Social Security Number verification letter issued by the Social Security Administration; 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)
  • Form 1099G if you received unemployment
  • All Forms 1095, Health Insurance Statements, and Health Insurance Exemption Certificate, if received
  • Total paid for daycare provider and the daycare provider's tax identifying number such as their Social Security number or business Employer Identification Number
  • 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

 

 

Tax prep assistance providers that 211 WNY is booking appointments for are listed below. To book an appointment, call 211, or book online here for Erie County sites (except BFNC Westminster Community House) or here for Chautauqua and Niagara County sites as well as BFNC Wesminster Community House (which is in Buffalo and serves Erie County). Other tax prep assistance providers, including those that 211 is not booking for, are listed here.

 

 

ERIE COUNTY

 

 

NIAGARA COUNTY

 

 

NORTHERN CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY

 

 

SOUTHERN CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY

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