Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)

Participants in VITA

The VITA program offers free tax help to elderly, low- to moderate-income ($50,000 and below) people and nonresident aliens. The Internal Revenue Service started the VITA program approximately 35 years ago. Its mission is to offer free assistance to people who cannot afford professional assistance. VITA sites are established at community and neighborhood centers, schools and other convenient locations.

Hours

The Marquette VITA site will be open on Saturdays at 9:30 a.m. during tax season beginning January 28th.  The site will be closed on April 7th.  It is based on a first-come, first-served basis.  A sign-in sheet is located at a registration table in the foyer.  The doors open at 9:00 a.m.  We are usually full by 10:15 a.m.  The site is open to nonresident aliens by appointment only.  Appointments are given to nonresident aliens only.   To schedule an appointment, contact at 288-5672 or catherine.pfeffer@marquette.edu.

Address

1215 West Michigan Street (Ray and Kay Eckstein Hall)

Please Note:

Underground parking is available for $3.00.

The Marquette University Law School site utilizes law student volunteers and on-campus technology to assist the community with tax preparation and e-filing. The law students prepare tax returns on computers and ultimately transmit them electronically to the Internal Revenue Service and the Wisconsin Department of Revenue. The site will prepare nonresident alien returns, but these returns must be mailed. This service is free.

Informational Documents to Bring to the VITA Site

All Taxpayers

  • Social Security cards for  all taxpayers and dependents

  • 2010 State and Federal Tax Returns, if any

  • W-2's and all Form 1099's

  • Address

  • Photo identification, such as:

    - U.S. Drivers License
    - Passport (nonresident aliens)
    - School ID
    - State ID Card

  • Phone Number

  • Date of Birth

Earned Income Tax Credit

  • Social Security Numbers for qualifying children

  • Social Security Number for taxpayer/spouse

  • Amount of Investment Income (i.e. interest, dividends)

  • Qualifying child's date of birth

  • Number of months the qualifying child resided in home

Child and Dependent Care Credit

  • Provider's name, address, and social security number or employer identification number

  • Amount of expenses paid for dependent care

Child Tax Credit

  • Name of qualifying child

  • Social Security Number of qualifying child

Dependent Exemptions

  • Social Security Number of dependent

Direct Deposit of Refund

  • Checking or Saving Account number

  • Routing number of the bank or financial institution

Education Credits and Deductions

  • Amount of qualified education expenses paid

  • Amount of student loan interest paid

Elderly Taxpayers

  • 1099-R's

  • Forms SSA-1099

Wisconsin Homestead Credit

  • 2011 Property Taxes

  • Signed Rent Certificate

Wisconsin Income Taxes

  • 2011 Property Taxes paid

  • Rent paid in 2011

NONRESIDENT ALIENS

  • Form 1042-S if treaty benefits are claimed
  • Days present in the United States during 2011
  • Name, address and telephone number of Department and Department Chair