Tax Services

No-Cost Tax Preparation Services for Low-Income Families and Individuals

Tax Services Provided by IRS-Certified Alameda County Volunteers

We are gearing up for the 2024 VITA program - operations will begin January 29th!

Since 2002, SSA Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) preparers have helped taxpayers to receive larger tax refunds by claiming the credits they have earned. The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is provided to working families and single or married individuals. Additionally, families and individuals may be eligible for other credits. Find out if you qualify here.

Tax preparation will be completed by our qualified IRS-certified preparers through a combination of customer document drop-off/pick-up and in-person appointments. Social distancing, face masks, and workspace sanitation will protect customers and volunteers alike! Have your tax refund within 7-10 business days with direct deposit to your checking, savings or no-fee prepaid CFR FOCUS Card. It's Your Money--Get It! Don't miss out!

Make an Appointment

Services begin January 29, 2025. Tax services are provided by appointment only - no exceptions. Tax filers must present all required tax documents at the time of appointment. Appointments will need to be rescheduled if there are missing documents. Tax filers will need to create an account through the online Appointment Scheduler. A cell phone number or email address is required to make an appointment. Book a tax appointment here.

Locations & Hours of Operation

What to bring to your appointment

What to bring to your appointment
- A copy of your 2023 tax return
- Photo ID for each adult person on tax return
- Original Social Security or ITIN card for each family member
- All income documents for 2024: W-2, 1099R, SSA-1099, 1099-MISC, 1099-NEC forms, documentation of cash income
- Bank interest and dividend statements
- All 1098 forms (1098T, 1098 Mortgage Statement, Property Tax Statement)
- Unemployment income--1099G
- Calculated self-employment income and business expenses up to $35,000
- Childcare provider name, address, EIN/SSN, and phone number
- Educational expenses
- Form 1095-A federal health insurance documentation, Affordable Health Care statements, or exemption documentation
- Form CA3895 California Health Insurance Marketplace Statement, or exemption documentation
- IRS Notice 6419
- Checking or savings routing and account numbers and name of bank/credit union for refund processing/direct deposit
NOTE: Both spouses must be present to sign required forms on a married-filing-jointly tax return.

Did You Know?

California offers its own Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) for W-2 wage and self-employed income earners with calendar year 2024 tax returns. This credit is offered in addition to the existing federal EITC.

In 2019, Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB1876 expanding the CalEITC and Young Child Tax Credits for undocumented ITIN filers with children ages five and under. This new legislation will provide critical cash assistance for California families.

Check to see if you are eligible for CalEITC.

Volunteer as a Tax Preparer

We are still accepting volunteer tax preparers for the 2024 VITA Program! Volunteer openings are open to community members as well as County employees. Sessions will be offered through January 2025. Only a few spots remain, so sign up here.

Our no-cost tax services are provided by IRS-certified volunteer tax preparers, including current and retired County employees, as well as members of the community. Volunteering with our tax program is an opportunity to build your skills, meet new people, and make a positive difference. You don’t need prior tax experience – our training sessions will provide you the knowledge that you’ll need!

The Social Services Agency (SSA) participates in Earn It! Keep It! Save It! (EKS), a coalition of Bay Area organizations that provide free tax preparation to households earning less than $56,000 a year.

Questions? Contact Our Program

For more information contact our program at (510) 271-9141 or email vita.eitc@acgov.org

Tips on Saving Your Money

Saving at Tax Time is as Easy as 1, 2, 3! No matter how small, every cent counts when saving for an emergency or a financial goal.

Bring your savings and checking account information to your tax preparation.
Determine how much of your refund you want to save.
Ask your tax preparer to split your refund into your two or more accounts: savings and checking.

Check out this video to learn more about saving.