VITA FREE Tax Prep Service

United Way's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance service (VITA) is focused on putting more money into the pockets of working families. IRS-trained volunteers offer FREE Tax Prep for families and individuals who earned less than $58,000 in 2021! Our goal is to make sure you get your FULL refund, claim all your eligible credits, and learn to use taxes to grow your assets! You can count on VITA to provide the highest quality tax service to families, individuals, and some small business owners.

UWMC provides free tax preparation service for Monterey County residents. Taxpayer options of preparation include in person tax preparation, virtual tax preparation, self-tax preparation, or volunteer guided tax preparation.

Take a look at the Tax Prep Checklist to help you stay on top of your taxes and know what to prepare so you are ready to file and maximize your refund.

You have two ways to file for free:

1. Drop off or email your documents to a VITA site and IRS-trained volunteers will prepare them for you.
2. File free online at MyFreeTaxes.org

California Earned Income Tax

California Earned Income Tax (CalEITC) is a cash-back tax credit that puts money back into the pockets of California’s working families and individuals. In its first year, CalEITC boosted the income of about 385,000 families, who shared almost $200 million from the cash-back credit. CalEITC gives working families the chance to get ahead. Studies show that young children in households that receive the EITC do better in school, are more likely to attend college, and earn more, brightening the future of the next generation.

Beginning January 2021, families filing with an ITIN number are eligible to claim the CalEITC tax credit.