Free Tax Assistance
We offer free tax assistance year round to qualified individuals in Southwest Washington. Qualified individuals are: People who generally make $70,000 or less. If you do not qualify, see Other Ways to File.
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.
Personal Income Tax Assistance
We offer free income tax return assistance to qualified individuals in Southwest Washington in partnership with the IRS’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.
Qualified individuals are:
People who generally make $70,000 or less
Persons with disabilities; and
Limited English-speaking taxpayers
If you do not qualify, see Other Ways to File.
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 $50,000 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.
Phase Out of Paper Checks
Refunds sent by mail may take 6 weeks or longer. Taxpayers who file returns with valid bank account information will continue to receive direct deposits with payments issued in less than 21 days in most cases.
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
Bank information for direct deposit
Refunds sent by mail may take 6 weeks or longer.
Tip: to speed up the process, before you come in, complete a Form 13614-C Intake/Interview and Quality Review Sheet.
For more details see: What to Bring to Your Local VITA or TCE Site
Working Families Tax Credit
WFTC is a Tax Credit for Washington Workers. It provides payments up to $1,330 to individuals and families who meet eligibility requirements.
Hours and Locations
Mondays and Tuesdays
12:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Last appointment scheduled at 7:00 pm
Location:
Mill Plain Boulevard
13215 SE Mill Plain Blvd, Vancouver, WA 98684
Between Chuck’s Fresh Market and Key Bank
(directions)
(map)
(parking and building pictures)
Bus/C-Tran routes:
The Vine on Mill Plain (Red Line)
136th Avenue Station
Thursdays
10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Last appointment scheduled at 4:15 pm
Location:
Clark County Food Bank
6502 NE 47th Ave., Vancouver, WA 98661
(directions)
(map)
(parking and building pictures)
Bus/C-Tran routes:
The closest stops are about a 15-20 minute walk. About 0.7-0.9 miles
Fridays and Saturdays
10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Last appointment scheduled at 4:15 pm
Location:
Three Creeks Community Library
800-C NE Tenney Rd, Vancouver, WA 98685
(directions)
(map)
(parking and building pictures)
Bus/C-Tran routes:
Other Ways to File
Filing your Taxes
File Your Taxes Online for Free
IRS - Direct File
No longer available
IRS - Free File Fillable Forms
Other Organizations Offering Free Income Tax Return Preparation
IRS: VITA/TCE - Get Free Tax Prep Help
Oregon: CASH Oregon > Free Tax Preparation
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 2026: Forms and assistance
Need to Find a Paid Tax Preparer?
The IRS offers a few resources to help you find a paid tax preparer.
