VITA

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance

Santa Monica College
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VITA - Volunteer Income Tax Assistance

Appointments are now available for the 2026 Tax Season! - CLOSED!

If you make $69,000 or less, our professionally trained volunteers can prepare and electronically file your 2025 federal and state income tax returns at no cost to you. Our services include:

Tax preparation for current and prior years
Amended Returns (2022 – 2024)
Tax preparation for foreign and non-resident students

*Out-of-scope and limitations may apply. Taxpayers will not be served if the tax return situation is "out-of-scope" for VITA.  Review Tax Preparation Limitations and Out-of-Scope before you make an appointment. Please make sure you review the requirements on what to bring to your appointment (see "What do I need to bring?" below).

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What do I need to bring?

For married filing jointly, both spouses must be present
Government-issued photo identification for you and your spouse (if married)
Social Security cards or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) documents for you, your spouse, and dependents (if any) 
Birth dates for you, your spouse, and dependents
All Forms W-2 and 1099
Information for other income
Information for all deductions (including charitable contributions) and credits
A copy of last year’s federal and state returns, if available
For direct deposit of the refund, proof of bank account and routing number is required.
Total paid for the daycare provider and their tax identification number
Forms 1095-A, B, and C, Health Coverage Statements
Copies of income transcripts from the IRS and state, if applicable

What do we prepare at SMC VITA?

Wages, salaries, etc. (Form W-2)
Interest Income (Form 1099-INT)
Dividends Received (Form 1099-DIV)
State Tax Refunds (Form 1099-G)
Unemployment Benefits (Form 1099-G)
IRA Distributions (Form 1099-R)
Pension Income (Forms 1099-R, RRB-1099-R, CSA-1099)
Social Security Benefits (Form SSA-1099, RRB-1099)
Simple Capital Gain/Loss (Form 1099-B) limited
Sale of Home (Form 1099-S) limited
Prior Year and Amended Returns
Self-Employed Income (Form 1099-MISC, Form 1099-NEC) limited
Gambling Winnings (Form W-2G)
Cancellation of Debt (Form 1099-C) limited
Health Savings Accounts (Form 1099-SA) limited
Itemized Deductions limited
Education Credits (Form 1098-T)
Child Tax Credit • Earned Income Credit
Health Insurance Statements (Forms 1095-A, B or C)
Credits for Sick Leave and Family Leave for Certain Self-employed Individuals (Form 7202)
Economic Impact Payment (Recovery Rebate Credit)

What do we NOT prepare at SMC?

Married Filing Separately status
Schedule C with loss, depreciation or business use of home
Complicated Schedule D (capital gains and losses)
Form SS-5 (request for Social Security Number)
Form 8606 (non-deductible IRA)
Form 8814 (child taxed at parent’s tax rate)
Form SS-8 (determination of worker status for purposes of federal employment taxes and income tax withholding)
Parts 4 & 5 of Form 8962 (Allocation of Policy Amounts, Alternative Calculation for Year of Marriage)
Form W-7 (application for Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN))
Returns with casualty/disaster losses (Form 4684)

What are the days and times the site will be open?

SMC VITA is available from February 28 through April 4, 2026, every Saturday from 9 am to 2 pm. We serve taxpayers with appointments only, but will serve "walk-ins" as spaces become available. We guarantee service by appointment only, so make an appointment as soon as possible to reserve your spot. Spaces are limited.

How do I make an appointment?

You can make an appointment by clicking the link above ("Make an Appointment") and selecting the day and time. You must provide your full name and an email to complete the appointment. If the day or time is no longer available, the day/time will not appear as a selection. The last appointment for each day is at 1 p.m.

Where is SMC VITA located?

SMC Bundy Campus
3171 S. Bundy Dr., Room 416
Los Angeles, CA 90066

Directions to SMC VITA.

*Free parking is available in front of the building.

How do I volunteer?

Students may enroll in Acct 17 in the fall semester to learn how to prepare tax returns and get VITA-certified to volunteer during the spring semester during tax season, OR contact the professor coordinating the event for other ways to get VITA-certified.

Contact Professor Rubio at rubio_cesar@smc.edu for any information about the program.

A tax preparer meticulously prepares a tax return after interviewing the taxpayer.

A VITA Volunteer (in dark blue shirt) conducting a quality review for a tax preparer.

A VITA Volunteer (in a light blue shirt) asking a Quality Reviewer tax preparation

2025 SMC VITA Team!

Cathy meticulously reviews and conducts the final e-filing review.

VITA Volunteers are ready to welcome taxpayers!