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Tax Preparation and Assistance
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Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) is Virtual
The Virtual VITA Tax-Aide program at Darien Library returns this year with a few changes to ensure the safety of all. An easy-to-use virtual filing system allows you to work with IRS-certified tax preparers from the comfort of your home. Please see VITA's security protocol.
New This Year
You may pre-register for tax filing help between now and Monday, January 25th. By preregistering, you will be emailed a link to allow you to start filling out your request for assistance as soon as registration opens. This is a handy reminder service to get you started on your taxes as soon as possible!
Watch a video that explains the process
Key Dates
- January 24th: Last day of preregistration
- January 25th: Appointment registration opens
- April 15th: Last day of this tax preparation service
By clicking on the below button, you are leaving Darien Library's website. You are submitting your personal information at your own risk, and the Library is not liable for the security of your personal information.
Online Tax Preparation and Assistance
How does this work?
When registration opens on January 25th, you will complete the online intake survey which will ask you to fill out basic personal information, upload photos of your tax forms, and choose an appointment time.
A VITA preparer will call you shortly after submission and let you know they have been assigned to your return. A second VITA preparer will check their work before filing.
Who is eligible for Virtual VITA?
At this time, VITA are able to assist people who are filing their current-year 2020 taxes as well as back taxes for the three prior years, (2019, 2018 and 2017). In addition, they can amend returns for all 4 tax years.
Frequently Asked Questions
What technology will I need?
You will need to fill out the survey on a smartphone or computer. You will also need access to internet, as well as a working phone number and email address.
What forms will I need to fill out the survey?
The survey will ask you to submit pictures of all relevant tax forms and receipts for 2020 and a photo ID. Examples include:
- Wages
- Retirement income
- Social Security benefits
- Unemployment income
- Self-employment income
- Interest and dividend income
- Tuition statement
- Car tax payment
- Real estate tax payment
- Child care payments
- Personal business expenses
- Access Health CT insurance
If you are filing with a spouse and/or dependents(s), please upload all relevant documentation for them too.
How much time will the process take?
Please give yourself at least 30 minutes to complete the survey, depending on your comfort with technology.
After that a preparer and reviewer could take up to an hour with you depending upon the complexity of the return.
What will I need for my phone appointment?
All relevant tax forms and receipts for 2020, as well as the Social Security cards of yourself, your spouse, and any dependents. If you think you’ll receive a refund, please also have your bank account information on hand.
VITA Security Protocol
VirtualVITA, Inc. has teamed up with Code for America to utilize it's IRS Nationally approved "Get Your Refund Website". We strive to implement best practices and while no data security plan is 100% fail-safe, the following Get Your Refund security protocols are in place to provide the safest environment for our clients:
- All taxpayer information provided through the website is stored in an encrypted database protected from external networks.
- The intake website will not permit any network connections without strong encryption protocols.
- All connections are encrypted using SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificates.
- Use of Google Recaptcha to protect against malicious bots.
- Utilization of a publicly registered domain name.
- Implementation of an incident response plan that includes reporting security incidents to the IRS.