VITA: Volunteer Income Tax Assistance

In 2021-22, Through Bucks County Opportunity Council’s Volunteers:

• 1,150 Tax Returns were prepared

• $2.5 Million in Tax Services, including refunds, saved filing fees, credits, property tax and rent rebates

Bucks County Opportunity Council income tax preparation services are provided at no charge by IRS-certified volunteers from February until April 15th. The BCOC Tax Program  will begin taking requests for appointments by January 31, 2023. We will operate 4 tax sites again this year, in Bristol, Quakertown, Warminster and Newtown. 

Prepare for your tax return by reviewing this form. You can print it and bring with you to your tax appointment, or one will be provided to you at the time of your appointment.  

For more information, click on the button below or contact Eileen Albillar at 215-345-8175 ext 209.

VITA is funded by the IRS with support from Truist, Bucks County Foundation and the First National Bank and Trust of Newtown.

Request a Tax Appointment

IRS-Certified volunteers are available to prepare federal, state and local income tax returns for low-income residents of Bucks County. You can request an appointment by clicking the link below. We will contact you by email or phone (please answer as it may appear as a blocked call.) A request is not a guarantee of an appointment. Appointments are made first-come, first served in order of requests via the webform.

Locations and hours: (Tax preparers are only available by appointment during these times) 

Bristol:  Tuesday afternoons and Saturdays
BCOC Bristol office, 721 Veterans Highway, at the side door.

Quakertown: Wednesday afternoons and Saturdays
BCOC Quakertown office, 136 C Mill Road. For appointments in Quakertown only, complete the form below or call 267-379-5110.

Warminster: Wednesday afternoons and Saturdays
BCOC Warminster office at the SBT Center, 539 Jacksonville Road (office suite on the left side of Habitat ReStore).

Newtown: Saturdays only
St. Mark A.M.E. Zion Church, 136 Congress Street.

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What Do I Need For My Appointment?

• Individuals and families are eligible to prepare taxes at home for FREE using IRS software. Avoid the wait and receive free, safe, and secure tax help you can trust. What You’ll Need:
  1. Social Security # or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number for each family member & working adult
  2. W-2s, 1099s, 1098s and other income forms
  3. Childcare provider name, address and tax ID, if applicable
  4. Bank routing and account numbers for checking or savings account

   

  Questions About Filing Your Return Online? You can call the toll-FREE MyFreeTaxes Helpline at 1-855-MyTxHelp (855-698-9435) to get assistance from an IRS-certified Volunteer Income Tax Preparer.

The Child Tax Credit of 2021 

Important changes to the Child Tax Credit will help many families get advance payments of the Child Tax Credit starting in the summer of 2021.

The IRS will pay half the total credit amount in advance of monthly payments. You will claim the other half when you file your 2021 income tax return. The IRS made the first advance payment on July 15, 2021. 

If you didn’t file a return, you can use the Non Filer Sign Up Tool

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a federal tax credit that can help individuals and families with low to moderate incomes pay less in taxes. Using this credit, you could be eligible to get more money back from the IRS – as much as $6,143!

The IRS estimates four of five eligible workers claim and get EITC; however, non-traditional families — such as grandparents raising grandchildren, childless workers, and non-English speaking taxpayers are among those who most frequently overlook the credit.

Eligibility and refund size for the EITC is based on several factors. These include, but are not limited to, the amount of your income (or combined incomes if married) and number and age of qualifying children. Note – workers without children may also qualify for EITC.

To check your eligibility for EITC and to learn more, visit the EITC Home Page.

PA Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program

The PA Property Tax/Rent Rebate program benefits eligible Pennsylvanians age 65 and older; widows and widowers age 50 and older; and people with disabilities age 18 and older. The income limit is $35,000 a year for homeowners and $15,000 annually for renters, and half of Social Security income is excluded. The maximum standard rebate is $650. You can now file online. Visit the PA Department of Revenue website to learn more.