VITA Program
Free, professional tax preparation — for those who qualify.
Our IRS-certified volunteers prepare basic federal and state tax returns at no cost for eligible Central Pennsylvania households.
Important: VITA tax preparation is free and available to eligible taxpayers only. Submission of an appointment request does not guarantee service. RTC determines eligibility based on income, tax complexity, and IRS scope.
Who qualifies?
- Households earning approximately $64,000 or less
- Persons with disabilities
- Limited English-speaking taxpayers
- Older adults (60+)
What to bring
- Photo ID for taxpayer (and spouse if filing jointly)
- Social Security cards or ITIN letters for everyone on the return
- All W-2s, 1099s, and other income statements
- Form 1095-A if you had Marketplace health insurance
- Last year's tax return (if available)
- Bank routing and account numbers for direct deposit
VITA Scope
Within scope
- W-2 wages
- Unemployment
- Simple 1099-NEC (limited)
- Earned Income Tax Credit
- Child Tax Credit
- Education credits
Out of scope
- Rental property income
- Cryptocurrency trading
- Foreign income
- Complex business returns
- Bankruptcy
- Returns with K-1s
If your return is out of scope, we will refer you to LITC educational resources or other qualified providers.
How an appointment works
- 01
Submit a request with your basic information.
- 02
Our intake team reviews eligibility within 48 hours.
- 03
You bring documents to your in-person, phone, or virtual appointment.
- 04
A certified quality reviewer checks every return before filing.