Free Tax Assistance
If you need help filing a tax return, reviewing a letter from the IRS, or just have a tax question, we can help.
We can also help submit applications for the Washington Working Families Tax Credit.
Assistance available year round.
In 2024 so far, we helped over 1,400 individuals and households with filing tax returns and helping with tax questions and issues.
Income Tax Assistance
We offer free income tax return assistance to qualified individuals in Southwest Washington through the IRS’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.
Qualified individuals are:
People who generally make $64,000 or less
Persons with disabilities; and
Limited English-speaking taxpayers
As a part of the VITA program we prepare basic returns.
Will Prepare: wages; interest and dividend income; unemployment; pension and social security income; child tax credit; earned income credit; Washington’s Working Families Tax Credit; Oregon Individual Income Tax Return; etc.
Will Not Prepare: sale of virtual currency; schedule C with a loss, depreciation, or over $35,000 in expenses; rental or farm income; casualty/disaster losses; filing status married filing separate in a community property state (Washington); etc.
There are other complicated tax situations that may be beyond the scope of the VITA volunteers. You may want to seek tax advice from a paid tax professional.
For details of what a basic tax return is, see IRS publication 3676-B: IRS Certified Volunteers Providing Free Tax Preparation (English and Spanish).
This service is offered in partnership with the Internal Revenue Service. To find out more visit the IRS website: Free Tax Return Preparation for Qualifying Taxpayers.
What to bring
The following documents and information are needed for preparing your tax returns:
Proof of identification (photo ID) for you and your spouse
Social Security cards for you, your spouse and dependents
Birth dates for you, your spouse and dependents on the tax return
Working Families Tax Credit
WFTC is a new Tax Credit for Washington Workers. It provides payments up to $1,255 to individuals and families who meet eligibility requirements.
Locations and Hours
Three Creeks Community Library
800-C NE Tenney Rd, Vancouver, WA 98685
(directions)
(map)
Bus/C-Tran routes:
#105 I-5 Express via Salmon Creek Park & Ride
Hours:
Mondays
12:30 - 4:00 pm
except Labor Day September 2
Other Ways to File
File Your Taxes Online for Free
Facilitated Self-Assistance (FSA)
You prepare your own taxes at our site.
Volunteers are available to answer questions.
IRS - Free File Fillable Forms
IRS - Direct File pilot
for taxpayers with certain types of income, credits and deductions
in certain states (includes Washington)
Other Organizations Offering Free Income Tax Return Preparation
IRS: VITA/TCE - Get Free Tax Prep Help
Oregon: CASH Oregon > Free Tax Preparation
AARP - AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Locator
closed until next tax season
Local Libraries also provide resources and information about other organizations providing free income tax return preparation:
Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries - Tax Help
Multnomah County Library - Taxes in 2024: Forms and assistance
Need to Find a Paid Tax Preparer?
The IRS offers a few resources to help you find a paid tax preparer.
Other Services
Need to Find a Resource or Service?
In addition to Tax Assistance we can connect you to other services.