Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)/Taxpayer
Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) (En Español)

  1. What is the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program?
  2. What is the Taxpayer Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) program?
  3. Who can get help at a VITA site?
  4. Who can get help at a TCE site?
  5. What income tax forms do VITA sites prepare?
  6. Where are VITA/TCE sites located?
  7. What should I bring to the VITA/TCE site?
  8. Are there Wisconsin Department of Revenue state sponsored sites?
  1. What is the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program?

    The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program is a cooperative effort by the Internal Revenue Service and many individual states, including Wisconsin, to provide income tax assistance to low-income individuals, handicapped or elderly. Volunteers trained by the Internal Revenue Service and the Wisconsin Department of Revenue prepare basic income tax returns for free. Most VITA sites offer free electronic filing.

  2. What is the Taxpayer Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) program?

    The Taxpayer Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) program provides free tax information and help in preparing federal and Wisconsin income tax returns for elderly, low-to-moderate income and handicapped individuals. This program is supported by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) Foundation. AARP's Tax-Aide volunteers are trained in cooperation with the Internal Revenue Service and the Wisconsin Department of Revenue to prepare basic income tax returns for free. Most of these sites offer free electronic filing.

  3. Who can get help at a VITA site?

    Income tax assistance is available for low-to-moderate income individuals, individuals with disabilities, non-English speaking taxpayers, military personnel, and the elderly. The program also assists individuals who qualify for homestead credit or the earned income credit.

  4. Who can get help at a TCE site?

    Income tax assistance is available for low-to-moderate income individuals, the elderly and persons with disabilities. The program also assists individuals who qualify for homestead credit or the earned income credit.

  5. What income tax forms do VITA/TCE sites prepare?

    A VITA/TCE site prepares:

    • 1040EZ
    • 1040A with Schedules 1, 2, 3, and EIC
    • 1040 with Schedules A, B, C-EZ, EIC, and R
    • Form 1040V (Payment Voucher)
    • Form 1040ES (Individual Estimated Tax Payment)
    • Form 2441 (Child and Dependent Care Credit)
    • Form 8863 (Educational Credits)
    • Form 8812 (Additional Child Tax Credit)
    • WI Form 1, 1A and WI-Z
    • WI Homestead Credit (household income must be less than $24,680)

    A VITA/TCE site will not prepare the following:

    • Schedule C (Profit or Loss From a Business)
    • Schedule D (Complicated and Advanced D's)
    • Schedule E (Rental Income)
    • Form SS-5 (Request for a Social Security Number)
    • Form 2106 (Unreimbursed Employee Business Expenses)
    • Form 3903 (Moving Expenses)
    • Form 8606 (Nondeductible IRA)
    • Form 8615 (Tax for Children Under 14 with Investment Income)

    VITA/TCE sites do not prepare returns for married filing separate individuals.

  6. Where are VITA/TCE sites located?

    VITA and TCE sites can be found in community centers, libraries, churches, shopping malls, and retirement homes. Most sites are open from February 1 through April 15.

    To find the VITA or TCE site closest to you please call:

    VITA sites:
    (site locator available in February)

    • 1-800-906-9887
    • www.irs.gov, keyword VITA

    TCE sites:

    You must bring:

    • Photo identification
    • Social security cards for you, your spouse and your dependents
    • All wage and tax statements, including Forms W-2, W-2G, 1099-R
    • Interest and dividend statements
    • Any other tax documents you received

    If you are claiming homestead credit, you must also bring:

    • Copy of 2011 property tax bill or rent certificate signed by your landlord
    • Record of any Wisconsin works payments you received in 2011

    Note: Both spouses must be present to file a joint return.

  7. What should I bring to a VITA/TCE site?

    Customers are asked to bring their Forms W-2 wage and tax statements, information on other sources of income and any deductions, and Social Security cards for the taxpayer(s) and dependents. Those claiming homestead credit should bring a rent certificate and/or a copy of their 2011 property tax bill, and a record of any Wisconsin Works (W2) payments received in 2011. Both spouses must be present to file a joint return.

  8. Are there Wisconsin Department of Revenue state sponsored sites?

    For a complete list visit IRS.gov, keyword VITA

    City Location Hours
    La Crosse La Crosse Main Library
    800 Main St.
    (608) 789-7443    		 Opens February 2, 2012
    Appointments encouraged
    Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
    Madison The Villager Mall Financial Education Center
    Richard Dilley Tax Center
    2300 S. Park St., Lower Level
    (608) 261-5077     		Opens January 25, 2012
    No appointment required
    Monday, Wednesday 12:00-6:00 p.m.
    Saturday: 9:00-3:00 p.m.
    Madison Lussier Education Center
    55 S. Gammon Rd.
    (608) 833-4979 and ask for front desk    		 Opens January 25, 2012
    Appointment only
    Wednesdays 2:00-5:30 p.m.
    Madison Hawthorne Library (upstairs in the Public Health building)
    2707 East Washington Ave.
    Madison, WI 53704
    (608) 266-6350    		 Opens January 28, 2012
    Appointment only
    Every other Saturday (January 28th through April 7th)
    Menasha Goodwill of North Central Wisconsin
    1800 Appleton Rd.    		 Opens February 1, 2012
    Walk-ins:
    Monday/Wednesday 1:00-6:00 p.m.
    Thursday: 1:00-6:00 p.m. (February Only)
    Saturday 8:00 a.m.-noon
    Appointments: Starting March 1, 2012 on Thursdays from 12:30-4:30 p.m.
    Milwaukee MATC-Downtown (Student Center)
    700 W. State St.
    (414) 297-8417     		Opens January 28, 2012
    January 28 through April 14 (closed April 7 and 10)
    Tuesdays from 6:00-8:00 p.m.
    The first 20 clients will receive assistance Tuesdays and the first 35 clients will be served on Saturdays.
    A kiosk computer station will also be available for self-service electronic tax preparation
    Oak Creek MATC-Oak Creek
    6665 South Howell Ave.
    (414) 571-4757    		 Opens February 1, 2012
    February 1st through April 4th
    Wednesdays from 4:00-7:00 p.m.
    Saturdays from 9:00 a.m.-noon
    The first 25 clients will be assisted at each session.
    Located in Room A102, on the lower level, next to the cafeteria.
    Spooner Indianhead Credit Union
    104 E. Maple St.
    (715) 635-8273    		 Appointments encouraged
    Wednesday 10:00-5:30 p.m.
    Saturday 8:00-11:30 a.m.
    Stoughton City of Stoughton
    724 East Main St. (Back part of the building)
    Stoughton, WI 53589    		 Opens January 26, 2012
    Every Thursday from 12:00-5:00 p.m.

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE
Customer Service Bureau
P.O. Box 8949
Madison, WI 53708-8949
Phone: (608) 266-2772
Fax: (608) 267-1030
E-Mail Additional Questions

Last updated January 25, 2012