Free Tax Assistance
Who qualifies
Households making less than $80,000 can access free tax help and preparation for this tax year and tax years going back to 2019. The UW site also helps prepare nonresident returns. Some limitations may apply – tax returns that involve business taxes, rental income, or sale of property or stocks, are NOT eligible for this free service.
Hours
UW VITA reopens on Tuesday, January 28st. Our hours are:
Tuesdays 11:00 am - 2:30 pm
Thursdays 11:00 am - 2:30 pm
Fridays 11:00 am - 2:30 pm
We will be closed from March 15th to March 30th for Finals Week and Spring Break
Location
University of Washington, Seattle Campus
Dempsey Hall Room 212
4273 E Stevens Way NE, Seattle, WA 98195
Please visit United Way of King County’s Free Tax for more information on how to access the virtual tax site and sign up for a time: https://www.uwkc.org/need-help/tax-help/
What to bring
Social Security card/ITIN letters for everyone on the return REQUIRED
Photo ID REQUIRED
All tax statements (W-2 form, 1099 form, SSA-1099 form, etc.) REQUIRED
Health insurance forms 1095-A REQUIRED
Bank account number and routing number (recommended)
A copy of last year’s tax return (recommended)
If you are filing with your spouse, you both must be present to e-file
History
Since opening in 2017, Foster School volunteers have helped low- and middle-income households file 4,562 income tax returns for $7,188,770 of refunds.
Acknowledgments
The following individuals provide tireless support of UW VITA: Dave Burgstahler, James Buder, Terrence Cabiao, Joel Carey, Lily Carrasco, Cicero Delfin, Crystal Finkelstein, Christina Fitzpatrick, Larry Gentile, Frank Hodge, Katie Koch, Cecilia Li, Ryan McFerran, Christina Nichols, Julie Tran, Emily Vyhnanek, Jenny Walden, and Izzy Weber
Student reflections
“One tax return that struck me was a military veteran who had no income besides the GI Bill and other scholarships for school. His return was similar to last year where he had to pay some tax on the excess of income over qualified education expenses, but he did not know that he could also include required textbooks in that calculation. He was going into grad school and was looking for ways to save money on taxes. The smile on his face when I told him about the textbooks made me realize how much good we were doing. I see myself volunteering with VITA every year I can.”
“During my second shift, I met a woman who was stressed about filing her taxes. She confided in me some personal struggles she was going through, which made me more determined to make the process as easy and stress-free as possible. We chatted while filling out her return, and she got noticeably calmer, even though I had to ask Katie for help several times. When I finished her return, she was very happy. She expressed her gratitude, saying she would come back next year, and I was extremely glad to hear that. It finally clicked at that point what this experience is all about. I saw it as just an assignment to pass the program, but after that experience, I saw it as an opportunity to help my community by using what I have learned from school and work. I had briefly forgotten what volunteering meant to me and was reminded that supporting my community has always been one of my core values.”
“Overall, this was a fantastic holistic experience to complement the MST program that broadened my perspectives on our community. My hope and goal is that one day my career allows me to be able to return to volunteering for VITA again.”