East Bay Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program
What to Bring to Your Tax Appointment
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) provides IRS-trained tax professionals to provide tax-preparation services to clients. VITA volunteers provide timely, quality, and free tax preparation for low to moderate income individuals and families. Volunteers not only prepare tax returns, but simultaneously provide education to clients about their returns and eligible tax credits.
Who We Serve
Individual community members and families with an annual income less than $56,000 are eligible so long as they have minimal deductions for the Schedule C, no self-employment with expenses over $5,000, and have not filed bankruptcy within the past three years. Other exceptions for our service are determined on a case-by-case basis. VITA volunteers support fellow community members in saving money by completing tax returns and electronically filing to the IRS and RI Division of Taxation.
Key Features
VITA volunteers are local Senior Corps members and students from Roger Williams University, Community College of Rhode Island, Rhode Island College, and the University of Rhode Island. All volunteers are certified by 30+ hours of IRS training and assist clients with the following services:
- Free tax preparation
- Electronically filing tax returns to the IRS and Rhode Island Division of Taxation
- Educating clients about the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), which is one of the largest means of supplemental income for clients. EITC reduces the federal tax one owes and can result in a refund.
Location(s) of the Program
Bristol, RI 02809
Newport, RI 02840
East Providence, RI 02914
Hours of Operation
Tax Season January 28th – April 15th
East Providence: Tuesday and Wednesday, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Newport: Thursday, February 6th, March 5th and April 2nd, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Bristol: Thursday (exception 1st Thursday of the month) 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Friday, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Every other Saturday 9:00 A.M. – 12:00 PM
To Schedule an Appointment
Please call the Office of Volunteer Services at 401-435-7876 to schedule an appointment. View/print list of what to bring to your tax appointment. Please call at least 48 hours prior if you need to cancel your appointment. By appointment only.
How You Can Volunteer
You may volunteer with our program a few hours a week. Please call our office at 401-435-7876 to speak with the coordinator for more information.
