Welcome to VITA! Free Tax Help You Can Trust!
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, offered by United Way of West Florida, provides free, reliable tax preparation for hardworking individuals and families with an income level of $67,000 or less. Our IRS-certified volunteers are here to help you file your taxes accurately, securely, and at no cost. Allowing you to keep more of what you’ve earned. Whether you’re a student, a senior, or working to support your family, VITA is designed to serve you.
Want to know if you qualify, what to bring, or where to find a site? Keep reading to learn how VITA can make tax season easier for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Volunteer Tax Assistance (VITA) program is a national IRS initiative that provides free tax preparation services to underserved individuals and families. Through trusted community partners like United Way of West Florida, VITA helps eligible taxpayers file accurate returns, claim valuable credits, and keep more of their hard-earned income, all at no cost.
Since 1971, VITA has helped people who generally make $67,000 or less, persons with disabilities, elderly, and those with limited English proficiency file federal and state returns for free.
Yes! VITA services are completely free, no hidden charges or fees.
Yes, however they must have an ITIN (pronounced i-10).
See drop down list below.
Monday through Fridays will be every week during tax season, February 2-April 15.
Mondays – Pensacola State College Warrington Campus, 1-5pm
Tuesdays – Pensacola State College Main Campus, 9am-7pm
Wednesdays – Pensacola State College Warrington Campus, 9am-2pm, AND Pensacola State College Main Campus, 1-7pm
Thursdays – Pensacola State College Milton Campus, 9am-6pm
Fridays – Goodwill, 10am-2pm, AND Pensacola State Campus Main Campus, 1-7pm
Saturdays –
Pensacola State College Century Campus (times coming soon) – February 7 and April 6
Florida Blue, 10am-3pm – February 14, 21, 28; March 7, 28; April 11
Taxpayers must make appointments to get their taxes filed through VITA. The link will be posted in mid-January.
Your taxes are prepared by IRS-certified volunteers who are trained to ensure accuracy and confidentiality.
Yes! If you are comfortable preparing your own taxes, you can use MyFreeTaxes.org if you earn $84,000 or less annually.
Absolutely! No experience is needed. All volunteers must be certified through the IRS to participate in VITA. Both UWWF and the IRS provide free training and materials for certification and throughout the tax season. Volunteering is a great resume builder, a great way to build skills, and to simply give back to the community. You can learn more about volunteering and sign up for VITA trainings with UWWF here.
Still have questions? Reach out to Matthew Newberry at matthew.newberry@uwwf.org.
- Proof of identification (photo ID)
- Social Security cards for you, your spouse, and dependents
- An Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
- Proof of foreign status, if applying for an ITIN
- Birth dates for you, your spouse, and dependents on the tax return
- Wage and earning statements (Form W-2, W-2G, 1099-R,1099-Misc) from all employers
- Interest and dividend statements from banks (Forms 1099)
- Health Insurance Exemption Certificate, if received
- A copy of last year’s federal and state returns, if available
- Proof of bank account routing and account numbers for direct deposit such as a blank check
- To file taxes electronically on a married-filing-joint tax return, both spouses must be present to sign the required forms
- Total paid for daycare provider and the daycare provider's tax identifying number such as their Social Security number or business Employer Identification Number
- Forms 1095-A, B, and C, Health Coverage Statements
- Copies of income transcripts from IRS and state, if applicable
File Your Taxes Online with MyFreeTaxes
Prefer to file your taxes on your own? MyFreeTaxes.org is a free, secure, online platform that allows eligible individuals to prepare and file their federal and state tax returns from the comfort of home. Powered by United Way and supported by the IRS, MyFreeTaxes is available to most filers who earn $84,000 or less annually.
Benefits of using MyFreeTaxes:
Its 100% free for eligible users
Easy-to-use, step-by-step guidance
Safe and secure
Access from anywhere
Visit myfreetaxes.com to get started; no appointment is needed to file on your own.
If you have any questions about the program or need help scheduling an appointment, please contact us at vita@uwwf.org or contact Matthew Newberry, UWWF Economic Empowerment Manager, at matthew.newberry@uwwf.org or 850-444-7033. Our team is happy to assist you! VITA is funded through grants awarded to United Way of West Florida by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, Internal Revenue Service, and United Way Worldwide. Florida Blue, Pensacola State College, University of West Florida, and GoodWill Gulf Coast provide additional support.
Volunteer
Help reVITAlize our community as a VITA volunteer!
Make a difference this tax season by helping local individuals and families file their taxes accurately and at no cost. Volunteers play an important role in strengthening financial stability for our neighbors across Northwest Florida.
No prior experience is needed and free comprehensive IRS training is provided to ensure you feel confident and supported.
By helping individuals and families prepare their taxes for free, you provide essential support to those who may not have the resources to navigate complex tax filings on their own.
Learn how you can help our neighbors during the 2025 tax season by visiting here or have our Financial Stability Manager reach out to you by filling out this form.
Thank you to our program sponsor:
Thank you to our program partners:
