United Way of Collier and the Keys • 100% Free

Free Tax Preparation
for Collier County

United Way of Collier and the Keys provides free, professional tax preparation by IRS-certified volunteers. Get the refunds and credits you deserve—at no cost.

Schedule Your Appointment What to Bring
$346K+
Refunds Generated Last Year
$66K
Income Limit to Qualify
90%+
Return Accuracy Rate
$0
Cost to You
Eligibility

Who Qualifies for Free Tax Help?

VITA services are available to individuals and families meeting the following criteria

Income Under $66,000

Households earning $66,000 or less per year qualify for free tax preparation services through VITA Collier.

Limited English Speakers

Many VITA sites offer assistance in multiple languages including Spanish, Haitian Creole, and others.

Persons with Disabilities

VITA programs prioritize accessible services for individuals with disabilities who need tax preparation assistance.

Seniors (60+)

The TCE (Tax Counseling for the Elderly) program, often through AARP Tax-Aide, specializes in helping seniors with retirement-related tax issues.

Be Prepared

What to Bring to Your Appointment

Having all your documents ready ensures a smooth, accurate tax filing experience

Required Identification

Government-issued photo ID (for you and spouse if filing jointly)
Social Security cards for you, spouse, and all dependents
ITIN letter if you don't have a Social Security number
Birth dates for everyone on the return
Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) if you have one from the IRS

Income Documents

W-2 forms from all employers
1099 forms (interest, dividends, retirement, gig work, etc.)
SSA-1099 (Social Security benefits statement)
1099-G (unemployment, state refund)
W-2G (gambling winnings)
Last year's federal and state tax returns (if available)

Deductions & Credits

Childcare provider info (name, address, EIN or SSN, amount paid)
1098-T (tuition statement) and education expenses
1098-E (student loan interest paid)
Form 1095-A (Health Insurance Marketplace statement)
Records of energy-efficient home improvements

For Direct Deposit

Bank routing number and account number
Voided check or bank statement showing account details
Our Services

What Our Volunteers Can Help With

VITA Collier provides free preparation for basic tax returns—here's what's in scope

We CAN Help With

  • Wages, salaries, and tips (W-2)
  • Interest and dividend income
  • Social Security and retirement income
  • Unemployment compensation
  • Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
  • Child Tax Credit
  • Education credits (AOTC, LLC)
  • Child and Dependent Care Credit
  • ITIN applications (at select sites)

Outside Our Scope

  • Schedule C with a loss
  • Business depreciation
  • Home office deduction
  • Rental property income/expenses
  • Complex stock sales (basis not reported)
  • Schedule K-1 partnership income
  • Casualty or disaster losses
  • Non-resident alien returns
Good to Know

Important Information

A few things to keep in mind before your appointment

Both Spouses Must Be Present

If you're filing a joint return, both you and your spouse must attend the appointment to sign the required forms for electronic filing.

EITC/CTC Refunds May Be Delayed

By law, the IRS cannot issue refunds that include the Earned Income Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit before mid-February, regardless of when you file.

Appointments Required

All VITA Collier services are by appointment only. Visit book.vitacollier.com to schedule your appointment online—it's quick and easy!

Quality Reviewed & Accurate

Every return prepared at a VITA site goes through a quality review before filing. VITA has one of the highest accuracy rates in the tax preparation industry.

Ready to File Your Taxes for Free?

Schedule your appointment with VITA Collier today. It's fast, easy, and completely free.

Book Your Appointment
Questions? Email: vita@uwcollierkeys.org