Free Tax Preparation Services

Johnson County Earned Income Tax Credit Outreach Campaign

“You Earned It! Now Claim It!”

Frequently Asked Questions

Johnson County is pleased to partner with the University of Iowa Tippie College of Business, Iowa City Public Library, Iowa City Community School District, Iowa City Housing Authority, and United Way of Johnson County to bring FREE tax preparation services to working people in community sites throughout Johnson County. 

Financial support is provided by ISED Ventures and Johnson County. 

Sponsored By:

The IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program trains University of Iowa students to provide FREE Income Tax Preparation Services to qualifying workers. Additionally, the University of Iowa student volunteers have completed a semester long tax preparation course.  For additional information about the Tippie College of Business VITA Program and tax preparation information visit, http://tippie.uiowa.edu/vita.  

Download these documents for more information about the site schedules and materials to bring to the sites: 

Flyer (English)
Flyer (Español)
Intake Form (English) 
Intake Form (Español)

 Did you already have your taxes done, but wondering about the status of your refund? 
Where’s My Refund? - one of IRS’ most popular online features—gives taxpayers access to information about the status of their individual federal income tax refunds. Taxpayers can access Where’s My Refund? in English or Spanish at www.irs.gov. Taxpayers without internet access can get the same information by calling IRS’ Refund Hotline at 1-800-829-1954.

Tax Preparation Sites 

There are five (5) locations throughout Johnson County that provide FREE Tax Preparation Services.  Please see below for site locations and schedules.  Spanish translators are available at the two University of Iowa VITA locations (listed below).  For translation assistance for other languages (including sign language) at any of these four sites please contact 356-6090 Monday through Friday 8 – 4:30 at least two business days in advance of the tax help session you would like to attend. 

NOTE:  The University of Iowa VITA program locations will be closed March 17 through March 24. 

University of Iowa Tippie College of Business VITA Locations
Iowa City Public Library SPANISH TRANSLATORS AVAILABLE ON SUNDAYS AND WEDNESDAYS OR BY APPOINTMENT TRADUCTORES ESPAÑOLES DISPONIBLES LOS DOMINGOS Y LOS MIÉRCOLES O CON CITA Contact 356-6090 to arrange for other translation needs	123 S. Linn Street DOWNTOWN Iowa City No appointment necessary. SCHEDULE: Sunday afternoons from 1 to 4 pm; Wednesday evenings from 5:45 to 8:45 pm, two Monday sessions & one Tuesday session from 5:40 to 8:45.  SUNDAY: 12:30 - 4:00 pm February 10, 17, 24 March 3, 10, 31 April 7, 14  Wednesday: 5:45 to 8:45 pm January 30 February 6, 13, 20, 27 March 6, 13, 27 April 3, 10  Monday or Tuesday: 5:45 to 8:45 pm Monday, April 1 or 8 Tuesday, April 9 EXTRA: Saturday, April 14 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Northwest Junior High School SPANISH TRANSLATORS AVAILABLE TRADUCTORES ESPAÑOLES DISPONIBLES Contact 356-6090 to arrange for other translation needs	1507 8th Street Coralville No appointment necessary. SCHEDULE: Monday evenings from 6:00 to 9:00 pm. Monday evenings: February 4, 11, 18, 25
Southeast Junior High SPANISH TRANSLATORS AVAILABLE TRADUCTORES ESPAÑOLES DISPONIBLES Contact 356-6090 to arrange for other translation needs	2501 Bradford Drive Iowa City No appointment necessary. SCHEDULE:  Sunday afternoons from 1:00 to 4:00 pm   Sunday Afternoons: February 17, 24 March 3, 10
Garner Elementary SPANISH TRANSLATORS AVAILABLE BY APPOINTMENT ONLY TRADUCTORES ESPAÑOLES DISPONIBLES SOLAMENTE CONCITA Contact 356-6090 to arrange for other translation needs	80 Birch Ct North Liberty No appointment necessary. SCHEDULE:  Monday evenings from 6:00 to 9:00 pm  Monday Evenings: March 4, 11, 25
Tippie College of Business	C320 Pappajohn Business Building Iowa City No appointment necessary. Saturday February 2, 12:30 - 4:30 pm Sunday February 3, 12:30 - 5:30 pm
Iowa City/Johnson County Senior Center	28 South Linn Street DOWNTOWN Iowa City Appointment required. Call for appointments: 356-5220

 Who is eligible for VITA tax preparation services?

This service is available for free to taxpayers earning less than $51,000 a year (married taxpayers filing a joint return must have a joint income less than $50,000 a year).

There may be complex issues for which you will need to be referred to a paid preparer.  The VITA tax preparer cannot complete your return if:

• You were self-employed (your income is reported to you on a form 1099) and have business expenses exceeding $5,000
• You have farm income
• You received a lump sum distribution of your entire amount from your pension plan
• You were a resident alien part of the year and a non-resident alien the other part of the year
• You are a US citizen or resident alien with foreign earned income
• You do not have a photo ID

 What do I need to bring to the Tax Preparation Site?

1. Proof of identification (a driver's license or photo ID for you and your spouse)

2. Social Security cards or ITIN letters (or Social Security Number or ITIN verification letter issued by the Social Security Administration) for you, your spouse, and your dependents (generally this means your children)

3. Birth dates for you, your spouse, and anyone you supported during the year

4. Last year's federal and state returns.  If you filed tax returns last year, we can't complete your Iowa state return, and may not be able to complete your federal return, without this information

5. 2012 wage and earnings statements.  This includes all W-2, W-2G, and 1099-MISC forms from all employers, in all states.

6. All 1099 forms from banks, pensions, casinos or any other issuer. 

7. Other relevant information about your income and expenses.

• If you have child care expenses bring the total amount paid for child care and the child care provider's Social Security Number or provider's business Employer ID number.
• If you are a homeowner bring documentation of real estate taxes and mortgage interest.

8. Bank routing number and account number if you want your refund deposited in your bank account

9. A completed intake form, if possible.  This will make preparing your return faster and also make sure that you have the information you need with you.  We have intake forms at the VITA sites for you to use.

10. To file taxes electronically on a married filing joint tax return, both spouses must be present   

Do I need an appointment?

You do not need an appointment for tax preparation services at Garner Elementary, Northwest Jr. High, Southeast Junior High or the Iowa City Public Library.  You do need to make an appointment for services provided at the Senior Center.  Call 356-5220 to make an appointment. 

How much time will it take?

It will take between 20 to 30 minutes to complete your taxes, but it could take longer depending on your individual situation.  You may need to wait for an open tax preparation station.  All of the sites will file tax returns electronically (using a computer).

Are translation services available?

Spanish translation is available at the Iowa City Public Library on Sundays and Wednesdays, and Southeast and Northwest Junior Highs.  Please call 356-6090 at least 48 hours in advance of a scheduled tax preparation clinic to arrange for other translation at any of the above listed sites.

Who can I call if I have any questions about the VITA tax preparation sites?

You can contact Lynette Jacoby, the Johnson County Social Services Coordinator at (319) 356-6090.

What is the Earned Income Credit?

The Earned Income Credit is a special tax benefit for working people who earn low or moderate incomes. It has several important purposes, including reducing tax burden and supplementing wages.

Workers who qualify for the EIC and file a federal tax return can get back some or all of the federal income tax that was taken out of their pay during the year. They may also get extra cash back from the IRS. Even workers whose earnings are too small to owe income tax can get the EIC.

How much could I get back?

Single or married people who worked full-time or part-time at some point in 2012 can qualify for the EIC, depending on their income.

The following is taken from the web-site:  http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=150513,00.html

Earned Income and adjusted gross income (AGI) must each be less than:
• $45,060 ($50,270 married filing jointly) with three or more qualifying children
• $41,952 ($47,162 married filing jointly) with two qualifying children
• $36,920 ($42,130 married filing jointly) with one qualifying child
• $13,980 ($19,190 married filing jointly) with no qualifying children

Tax Year 2012 maximum credit:
• $5,891 with three or more qualifying children
• $5,236 with two qualifying children
• $3,169 with one qualifying child
• $475 with no qualifying children

Investment income must be $3,200 or less for the year.

Who is a “qualifying child” for the purposes of the Earned Income Credit?

The Earned Income Tax Credit depends on the number of 'qualifying children' that you have.

For the purposes of the Earned Income Tax Credit, the following individuals may be qualifying children:

• Sons, daughters, stepchildren, grandchildren and adopted children
• Brothers, sisters, stepbrothers, or stepsisters, and their descendants
• Foster children who are placed with the worker by an authorized government or private placement agency

“Qualifying children” must live with the worker for more than half of the year in the U.S. They must be under age 19 (or under age 24 if they are full-time students).  Relatives (as defined above) of any age who have total and permanent disabilities also may be a qualifying children.  Valid Social Security numbers are required for qualifying children born before December 31, 2012.

Can immigrant workers claim the Earned Income Credit?

Many immigrants who are legally authorized to work can qualify for the EIC, as long as they meet the other eligibility requirements.

Does the Earned Income Credit affect eligibility for other public benefits?

The Earned Income Credit does not count as income in determining eligibility for benefits like cash assistance (FIP), Medicaid, food stamps, SSI or public housing. The FIP program exempts EIC payments in the month received as well as in the following month. Funds remaining after the end of the second month are countable resources. 

Can the Earned Income Credit help Workers with Disabilities?

To be eligible for the Earned Income Credit, individuals must have earned income.  Benefits such as Social Security Disability Insurance, SSI, military disability pensions, and payments from individually-purchased disability insurance policies are not counted as earned income.  Individuals who receive these types of benefits may qualify for the Earned Income Credit if they, or their spouse, also have earned income.