VITA FAQ

Choose what VITA service option is best for you:

- Schedule an appointment for in-person full-service or drop-off options either online or by calling 262-383-2504. (Scheduler available only during tax season from January through April 15)

- Utilize our 100% virtual VITA option through GetYourRefund

- Prepare your own return for free using our TaxSlayer online software

In-person services are limited at this time. For options, email taxhelp@unitedwayracine.org or call Aeshea Moreno Fonseca at 262-898-2248.

You can promote VITA services to your staff, clients and employees by informing them about our available services. We have both digital and paper flyers, posters and appointment scheduling business cards. We would be happy to provide you with materials to display or distribute. Please reach out to Lori Riffer or Aeshea Moreno Fonseca at taxhelp@unitedwayracine.org to request promotional materials. 

VITA offers a variety of tax service options including in-person full-service, in-person drop-off, DIY software and 100% virtual. Please see the website for a description of services and additional information.

Yes. We would be happy to help you file for Homestead through our in-person and virtual options. If you are only filing for Homestead and not filing a federal return, please select "Homestead English" or "Homestead Spanish" when booking your VITA appointment.

A blank Wisconsin 2023 rent certificate can be found HERE. Your landlord will need to complete their portion of the form including signature and date. The final form cannot have any errors, white outs or scratch outs.

Instructions for the Wisconsin Homestead Credit can be found HERE if you decide to complete the form on your own.

Please submit your question(s) to our IRS-certified VITA volunteers via email at taxhelp@unitedwayracine.org. Please do not send or attach any personally identifiable information such as tax documents, social security number etc. via email.

Have these documents available:

• Current photo identification (driver’s license, state ID or student ID).
• Social security cards or ITINs for you, your spouse (if married) and any dependents you are claiming.
• If filing joint, both taxpayers must be present. Returns cannot be completed until signed by both taxpayers.
• All wage and tax statements, including the following forms:
  • W-2 (employment)
  • W-2 G (gambling winnings)
  • 1099-R (retirement)
  • 1099-G (unemployment)
  • SSA-1099 (social security)
  • 1099-INT (interest)
  • 1099-DIV (dividends)
  • 1098-T (tuition)
• 1095-A if you receive health insurance through the marketplace.
• Any other tax document(s) you’ve received.
• If you paid for childcare, provide a statement from your provider.
• Bank information for direct deposit (routing and account number).

Homestead credit is available to Wisconsin residents with an income under $24,680. If filing for Homestead, you will also need:

• Your property tax bill or completed rent certificate.
• Social security benefits, including:
  • federal and state SSI
  • SSI-E
  • SSD
  • caretaker supplement payments
• Wisconsin Works payment documents.
• Child support amount received from the year you are filing.

In order to use our virtual VITA services you will need to have access to texting or an email address. Here's a video with instructions on how to set up a free Gmail account.

To check on the status of your federal refund:

Have your tax return handy so you can provide your social security number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), filing status and the exact whole dollar amount of your refund.

Online: IRS.gov

Phone: 1 (800) 829-1040

To check on the status of your state refund:

Please have ready your Social Security number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) used to file, the exact amount of the refund, and the tax year of the refund.

Online: WI.gov

Phone:  1 (866) 947-7363

Email: Visit WI.gov for their email form.

Mailing addresses can be found at the following links:

Wisconsin Department of Revenue: DOR Tax Return Mailing Addresses (wi.gov)

Federal: WISCONSIN - Where to File Addresses for Taxpayers and Tax Professionals (irs.gov)

Please connect with the Racine Financial Empowerment Center (FEC) on their website or by calling (262) 200-0831. Through free, one-on-one, professional financial counseling, the Racine FEC can help you take control of your debt, deal with debt collectors, improve your credit, create a budget, save, connect to safe and affordable financial products and much more. Services are available to all City of Racine residents regardless of income.

The IRS estimates that four out of five workers claim the EITC, which means millions of taxpayers are putting EITC dollars to work for them. As of December 2022, more than 31 million workers and families received about $64 billion in EITC. The average amount of EITC received nationwide was about $2,043. 

What is the EITC?

The earned income tax credit (EITC) is a refundable tax credit for both federal and Wisconsin tax returns. You may qualify for the EITC if you worked last year but earned a low or moderate income. The EITC is a refundable tax credit, which means that even if you don't owe any tax, you can still receive a refund.

Do I qualify for the EITC?

To qualify for the credit, your adjusted gross income (AGI) must be below a certain amount, and you must:

• Have a social security number (SSN) valid for employment by the due date of your return (including extensions). (If you're filing a joint return, your spouse also must have an SSN valid for employment.) If you don't have an SSN by the due date of your return (including extensions), you can't claim the EIC on either an original or an amended return, even if you later get an SSN.
• Have a filing status other than married filing separately.
• Be a U.S. citizen or resident alien all year, or a nonresident alien married to a U.S. citizen or resident alien and filing a joint return.
• Not file Form 2555 (related to foreign earned income).
• Not have investment income over $3,650.
• Have earned income from employment or from self-employment.
• Not be a qualifying child of another person. (If you're filing a joint return, your spouse also can't be a qualifying child of another person.)

If you qualify for the credit, the amount of your EITC will depend on your filing status, whether you have a qualifying child (and if so, how many) and the amount of your wages and income last year. Qualifying children must be listed on Schedule EIC (Form 1040) PDF.

To see if you qualify and for how much, see the EITC qualification assistant.

For more information, see Publication 596, Earned Income Credit and visit Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)

Did you receive a letter from the IRS about the EITC? 

Find out what to do.

What other credits could I qualify for?

If you qualify for the EITC, you may also qualify for other tax credits.

• Child Tax Credit and the Credit for Other Dependents
• Child and Dependent Care Credit
• Education Credits

Yes! You have the option to request a link to access the free TaySlayer software OR go to MyFreeTaxes to connect to the TaxSlayer software. You will need to request a new link each year to log in to your account. For TaxSlayer and MyFreeTaxes, there is an income cap of $79,000. 

Sí. GetYourRefund está disponible en inglés y español. El programa VITA tiene preparadores de impuestos bilingues disponibles para ayudar a los clientes con la preparación y presentación. Citas son fácil: 262-383-2504.