VITA in Los Angeles

(Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program)

The Entertainment Industry  Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program provides free income tax preparation to low and moderate income entertainment industry individuals and families. IRS Certified volunteers receive training to help prepare returns. Our goal is to ensure that all individuals and families have the opportunity to file their taxes, claiming all legitimate deductions, and appropriate credits, including the Earned Income Tax Credit which is often overlooked, and get their tax refund if applicable. VITA is being hosted at The Actors Fund and is supported in part by contributions from AEA, AFTRA, Scren Actors Guild (SAG), Screen Actors Guild Foundation and IATSE to assist their members. None of the Volunteers are paid to provide this assistance. Please review the eligibly criteria below and assess if you are a candidate to use this program.

Please know 2012 is our pilot season of VITA. Therefore, we have four days of operations with limited spaces available. We appreciate your understanding and your patience. We are excited for this program to grow. We look forward to preparing your taxes if not this year than in the years to come.

You must meet the following eligibility criteria and be able to provide the following documents.  You will NOT be seen unless you are able to provide the following:

•  union card
•  Photo ID
• Copy of last year’s tax return
• Completed VITA workshop packet- prior to meeting with tax preparer- this will be emailed to you.
• Please make sure we can provide the type of tax return you need:

The following types of returns are not eligible for volunteer tax preparation through VITA, this year. If you have this type of tax return need, we will not be able to prepare your return and you need to seek professional assistance.   NO LLC; partnerships; corporations; rental income; K-1’s; no gains or losses from stocks mutual funds or investments and no  foreign income, or received money from foreign savings, or any interest in foreign properties.

If you meet these qualifications please click on this link to request an appointment time. You will be emailed back the date and time of your appointment. As well as the VITA worksheet packet you need to complete BEFORE your appointment.  You have to be able to PRINT worksheet packet to complete.

PLEASE READ BEFORE YOU SIGN UP.
No appointments will be made over the phone or walking into The Actors Fund.

Those with appointments will take priority over those on walk-in waiting list. We will make every effort to see as many people as we can. If you are a walk-in there is no guarantee who will be seen or whether or not returns will be completed the day you come in.

The program is run by VOLUNTEERS. As, a result, there is no guarantee as to how long your appointment will take. If you miss or are late for your appointment please know you will be forfeiting your slot to be seen.

VITA is an IRS program and must adhere to strict rules governing accuracy and fairness. Therefore, we must require your cooperation in not requesting special treatment (you may not choose who prepares your return) and by providing us with accurate information (deductions must be actual expenses, VITA may only file returns that reflect honest and accurate accounts and may not assist in the filing of fraudulent or dishonest returns

Upon receipt of this email every effort will be made to give you an appointment time in our 2012 VITA program. As mentioned above we do have limited time slots available and we are hopeful we can accommodate your needs. An email will be sent back to you with the VITA WORKSHEET PACKET and an appointment time. It will most likely not be possible to switch days and times once this appointment time is given. Cancelation or not showing will forfeit your slot in participating in VITA this year.