Tax Services

No-Cost Tax Preparation Services for Low-Income Families and Individuals

Tax Services Provided by IRS-Certified Alameda County Volunteers 

The Alameda County Social Services Agency (SSA) is providing no cost IRS certified tax preparation assistance to low- and moderate-income taxpayers from February 1, 2021 through April 14, 2021.

Since 2002, SSA Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) preparers have helped taxpayers to receive larger tax refunds by claiming the credits they have earned. The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is provided to working families and single or married individuals. Additionally, families and individuals may be eligible for other credits. Find out if you qualify here.

Tax preparation will be completed by our qualified IRS-certified preparers through a combination of customer document drop-off/pick-up and virtual appointments. Social distancing, face masks, and workspace sanitation will protect customers and volunteers alike!  Have your tax refund within 7-10 business days with direct deposit to your checking, savings or no-fee prepaid CFR FOCUS Card. It's Your Money--Get It! Don't miss out!

Make an Appointment

Appointments for virtual tax preparation and document drop-off/pick-up are required at all sites: Eden, Enterprise, and Thomas L. Berkley Square. The online Appointment Scheduler is available at: https://public.alamedasocialservices.org/eitcscheduler You will need to create an account using either a cell phone number or e-mail address.

What to bring to your appointment

 

  • A copy of your 2019 tax return
  • Photo ID for each adult person on tax return
  • Original Social Security or ITIN card for each family member
  • All income documents for 2020: W-2, 1099R, 1099-MISC, 1099-NEC forms, documentation of cash income
  • Bank interest and dividend statements
  • All 1098, 1099R and 1098T forms
  • Unemployment income--1099G
  • Calculated self-employment income and business expenses up to $3,500
  • Child care provider information and phone number
  • Education expenses
  • IRS Notice 1444
  • Form CA3895 California Health Insurance Marketplace Statement, or exemption documentation
  • Form 1095-A federal health insurance documentation, Affordable Health Care statements, or exemption documentation
  • Checking or savings routing and account numbers and name of bank/credit union for refund processing/direct deposit

NOTE: Both spouses must be present to sign required forms on a married-filing-jointly tax return.

Did You Know?

California offers its own Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) for W-2 wage and self-employed income earners with calendar year 2020 tax returns. This credit is offered in addition to the existing federal EITC.

In 2019, Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB1876 expanding the CalEITC and Young Child Tax Credits for undocumented ITIN filers with children ages five and under. This new legislation will provide critical cash assistance for California families.

Check to see if you are eligible for CalEITC.

Volunteer as a Tax Preparer

Our no-cost tax services are provided by IRS-certified volunteer tax preparers, including current and retired County employees, as well as members of the community. Volunteering with our tax program is an opportunity to build your skills, meet new people, and make a positive difference. You don’t need prior tax experience – our training sessions will provide you the knowledge that you’ll need!

The Social Services Agency (SSA) participates in Earn It! Keep It! Save It! (EKS), a coalition of Bay Area organizations that provide free tax preparation to households earning less than $56,000 a year. Volunteer tax preparer training has ended for the Social Services Agency’s 2020-2021 Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program, but we hope you will consider joining us in the future.

Questions? Contact Our Program

For more information contact our program at (510) 271-9141 or email vita.eitc@acgov.org

Tips on Saving Your Money

Saving at Tax Time is as Easy as 1, 2, 3! No matter how small, every cent counts when saving for an emergency or a financial goal.

  1. Bring your savings and checking account information to your tax preparation.
  2. Determine how much of your refund you want to save.
  3. Ask your tax preparer to split your refund into your two or more accounts: savings and checking.

Check out this video to learn more about saving.

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