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/TCE sites prepare?
  6. Where are the VITA and TCE sites located?
  7. What should I bring to the VITA/TCE site?
  8. Are there Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR) state sponsored sites?
  9. How can I become a volunteer?
  1. What is the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program?

    The VITA program is a cooperative effort by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and many individual states, including Wisconsin. Volunteers trained by the IRS and the Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR) 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 TCE program is supported by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) Foundation. AARP's Tax-Aide volunteers are trained in cooperation with the IRS and DOR 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?

    VITA income tax assistance is available for:

    • Low-to-moderate income individuals
    • Individuals with disabilities
    • Non-English speaking taxpayers
    • Military personnel
    • Elderly individuals
    • Individuals who qualify for the homestead credit or the earned income credit
  4. Who can get help at a TCE site?

    TCE income tax assistance is available for:

    • Low-to-moderate income individuals
    • Elderly individuals
    • Individuals with disabilities
    • Individuals who qualify for the homestead credit or the earned income credit
  5. What income tax forms do VITA/TCE sites prepare?

    VITA/TCE sites prepare:

    • 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)

    VITA/TCE sites do not prepare:

    • 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)

    Note: VITA/TCE sites do not prepare returns for individuals who are married but filing separate.

  6. Where are the VITA and TCE sites located?

    You can find VITA and TCE sites in:

    • Community centers
    • Libraries
    • Churches
    • Shopping malls
    • Retirement homes

    Most sites are open from February 1 through April 15.


    To find a VITA or TCE site near you, use one of the following methods:

    VITA sites: (site locator available in February)

    • Call 1-800-906-9887
    • Visit irs.gov, keyword VITA
    • Call "211" for a site near you

    TCE sites:

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

    You must bring the following:

    • 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 2012 property tax bill or rent certificate signed by your landlord
    • Record of any Wisconsin Works payments you received in 2012

    Note: If you are filing a joint return, both you and your spouse must be present.

  8. Are there Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR) state sponsored sites?
    • Yes. The sites below are sponsored by DOR.
    • For a complete list of sites located in Wisconsin, visit IRS.gov, keyword VITA

    City Location Hours
    Madison The Villager Mall Financial Education Center
    Richard Dilley Tax Center
    2300 S. Park St., Lower Level
    (608) 261-5077    		 Open January 28-April 15, 2013
    No appointment required
    Monday, Wednesday 12:00-6:00 p.m.
    Saturday: 9:00-3:00 p.m.
    Madison Hawthorne Library (upstairs in the Public Health building)
    2707 East Washington Ave.
    Madison, WI 53704
    (608) 266-6350    		 Open January 26-April 6, 2013
    Appointment only
    Every other Saturday (January 26th through April 6th)
    Madison Lussier Education Center
    55 S. Gammon Rd.
    (608) 833-4979 and ask for front desk    		 Open January 30-April 3, 2013
    Appointment only
    Wednesdays 2:00-6:00 p.m.
    Milwaukee MATC-Downtown (Student Center)
    700 W. State St.
    (414) 297-8417    		 Open January 26-April 13, 2013
    (closed April 2 and 6 for spring break)
    Tuesdays from 6:00-8:00 p.m.
    Saturdays from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
    • A waiting list will be available at the site to sign up for tax assistance
    Stoughton City of Stoughton
    724 East Main St.
    Stoughton, WI 53589
    (in back part of the building)    		 Open January 31-April 4, 2013
    Appointment only
    Every Thursday from 12:00-5:00 p.m.
    • A waiting list will be available at the site to sign up for tax assistance
  9. How can I become a volunteer?

    To learn more about volunteer opportunities in your area, please fill out the volunteer information form. When we receive your form, a site coordinator in your area will contact you about the available volunteer opportunities.

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
Email Additional Questions

Last updated February 19, 2013