Donate

VITA Free Tax Prep

free tax prep

For over 50 years, the IRS’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program has offered free basic tax return preparation to qualified individuals. 

Qualifications:

  • People who generally make $70,000 or less annually
  • Persons with disabilities
  • Limited English-speaking taxpayers
  • Senior citizens

 

The VITA initiative is part of our Financial Security work at United Way of Acadiana, aiming to expand support and make a greater impact in our Acadiana community.

Appointment Scheduling and Locations

To book your appointment online, please follow these steps:

  1. Visit Our Scheduling Platform: Click the button below!
  2. Select Your Location: Choose the location that is closest or most convenient to you.
  3. Choose a Date and Time: Select an available time slot that works for you.
  4. Provide Your Information: Fill out the required details to confirm your appointment.
  5. Confirmation: A confirmation email with your selected dates/times, cancellation instructions, and the required documents you must bring to your appointment.

During your drop-off appointment, you will submit your tax documents, complete the intake process, and then return on the scheduled day to pick up your completed tax return.

Your pick-up appointment will be scheduled at the time of your drop-off.

Schedule Here

Locations: Online Scheduling Required

1. Acadiana High School – Lafayette | 315 Rue du Belier, Lafayette, LA 70506

Drop-Off, No Appointment Needed: Mon-Fri 7 AM–2 PM | Pick-Up: By Appointment | Dates: 1/26/2026–4/15/2026

Phone: 337-521-7959, Ext. 5 | Email: sbbennett@lpssonline.com

2. ASSIST Agency – Crowley | 225 N. Ave. C, Crowley, LA 70526

Drop-Off By Appointment: Tues 8:30 AM–3:30 PM | Pick-Up: Wed By Appointment | Dates: 1/1/2026–4/15/2026

Phone: 337-788-7551 x138 | Email: khuntly@assistagency.org

3. ASSIST Agency – Abbeville | 304 C N Hospital Dr, Abbeville, LA 70510

Drop-Off By Appointment: Mon 8:30 AM–3:30 PM | Pick-Up: Wed By Appointment | Dates: 1/1/2026–4/15/2026

Phone: 337-898-9554 | Email: khuntly@assistagency.org

4. United Way St. Landry/Evangeline | 5367 I-49 S Service Rd, Opelousas, LA 70570

Drop-Off By Appointment: Mon 1–4 PM | Pick-Up: By Appointment | Dates: 2/2/2026–4/15/2026

Phone: 337-942-7815 | Email: communityoutreach@uwsle.org

Locations: Online Scheduling Not Available – Call/Email/Walk-In

5. St. Mary CAA – Franklin | 1407 Barrow St, Franklin, LA 70538

Drop-Off: Call for Appointment | Pick-Up: Tue–Thu 9:30 AM–2 PM Walk-In | Dates: 1/20/2026–10/31/2026

Phone: 337-828-5703 | Email: smcaainfo@stmarycca.org

6. St. Mary CAA – Morgan City | 4014 Chennault St, Morgan City, LA 70380

Drop-Off: Call for Appointment | Pick-Up: Tue–Thu 9:30 AM–2 PM Walk-In | Dates: 1/20/2026–10/31/2026

Phone: 985-384-7446 | Email: smcaainfo@stmarycca.org

7. SMILE CAA – Lafayette | 501 St. John St, Lafayette, LA 70501

Drop-Off: Mon–Thu 8 AM–4:30 PM Walk-In | Pick-Up: Fri 8 AM–1 PM Walk-In | Dates: 2/2/2026–4/15/2026

Phone: 337-234-3272 x203 | Email: froberson@smilecaa.org

8. SMILE CAA – New Iberia | 722 Walton St, New Iberia, LA 70560

Drop-Off: Mon–Thu 9 AM–12 PM & 1–3 PM Walk-In | Pick-Up: Fri 9 AM–1 PM Walk-In | Dates: 2/2/2026–4/15/2026

Phone: 337-365-8151 x401 | Email: froberson@smilecaa.org

9. VITA St. Landry – Stacey Neville | 1209 Desi St, Opelousas, LA 70570

Drop-Off: Call for Appointment | Pick-Up: By Appointment | Dates: 1/25/2026–4/15/2026

Phone: 225-418-7371 | Email: staceynevills.brady@gmail.com

View additional locations here!

Taxpayer Advocate Service

The Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) is an IRS program that provides an independent system to assure that tax problems, which have not been resolved through normal channels, are promptly and fairly handled. Each state has a Taxpayer Advocate to assist that state’s taxpayers.

Closest one to Lafayette is in Baton Rouge but they can find the nearest to them here: https://apps.irs.gov/app/office-locator/

Visit MyFreeTaxes.com

My Free Taxes helps people file their taxes for free and get the assistance they need. My Free Taxes is 100% free for all state and federal returns for individuals or households earning less than $89,000 last year. Tax situations covered for free in My Free Taxes include:

  • W-2 income
  • Schedule C Self Employment
  • Limited interest and dividend income reported on a 1099-INT or 1099-DIV student
  • Education expenses, credits, or student loan interest
  • Unemployment income
  • Claiming the standard deduction
  • Earned Income Tax Credit
  • Child tax credits
  • Child and dependent care expenses

My Free Taxes is fast and easy. 

You can file your taxes from your phone, tablet or computer. The platform guides you through the process to guarantee you get your maximum refund. Most filers complete their taxes in under one hour, saving the $200 fee most paid tax preparers charge. If you earned under $69,000 last year, you can also connect with traditional in-person VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) programs to have your return prepared by an IRS-certified specialist. Go to MyFreeTaxes.com to get started. My Free Taxes Help Line offers IRS-certified support. From Jan. 27 through April 15, 2026, filers who need help can call 1-866-698-9435 daily, from 10 am 8 pm ET. From April 21 through Oct. 15, that support will be available Monday through Friday from 10 am-6 pm ET. The Help Line — in English and Spanish — is supported by 211 call specialists, trained by the IRS. (211 is the 24/7 go-to resource that connects people to locally available help. It’s supported by United Way and available in 99% of the U.S.)

My Free Taxes cuts tax stress.

Since 2009, My Free Taxes has helped people across America file more than 1.5M returns, save $318M in tax prep fees, and receive over $2.1B in refunds. My Free Taxes filing software uses best-in-class standards to safeguard taxpayer information. It guarantees tax returns are accurate and gets you your maximum refund. The software is always up to date with the latest tax law changes. And it screens for credit and deduction eligibility

Frequently Asked Questions

Do most people get a refund?
VITA stands for Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program and it offers free tax preparation utilizing volunteers that are certified and trained by the IRS.

You may qualify for free tax prep through VITA if one (or all) of these apply to you.

  • Your total household income was $67,000 or less.
  • You do not receive active military pay.
  • You are not practicing clergy.
  • You did not have farm income.
  • You did not own a business.
  • You did not have rental property income.
  • You did not have income from trading stocks or bonds.
  • You don’t speak English well enough to complete your taxes.
  • You have a disability.
  • Proof of ID
  • SSN Card for you, spouse, and dependents and/or Social Security Number verification issued by the social security information
  • Birth dates for you, spouse, and dependents on tax return
  • Wage and earning statements: Form W-2, W-2G, 1099-R, 1099-Misc from all employers 
  • Interest and dividend statements from banks (Forms 1099)
  • A copy of last year’s federal and state returns, if available
  • Proof of bank account, routing numbers, and account numbers for Direct Deposit, such as a blank check
  • Total paid for daycare and the daycare provider’s tax identifying number if appropriate
  • Visit this link to view the MyFreeTaxes Self-Employed Tax Guides.
Do most people get a refund?
YES! Just last year we helped Acadiana residents claim nearly $3 million in refunds.
Over 3,000 local residents utilized our service last year.

Most people do not take advantage of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). We aggressively search for the EITC as it can garner over $6,000 extra on your refund.
Keep your refund safe this year by investing in a local Acadiana bank. Learn more about our Bank On program here.

For additional questions, please contact vita@unitedwayofacadiana.org