The City of San Antonio, along with its partners, kicked off the 2025 Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program with a press conference to announce the return of this vital community resource. The VITA program offers free tax preparation for individuals and families in San Antonio and Bexar County who earned up to $65,000 in 2024. Services will be available through April 15.
Last year, the VITA program made a significant impact, with volunteers preparing more than 24,000 tax returns for local residents. These efforts brought $32 million in tax refunds and $13 million in Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) to low-income families and individuals, injecting millions back into the San Antonio economy. On top of that, VITA saved taxpayers an estimated $5 million in tax preparation fees.
Created by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) more than 40 years ago, the VITA program provides free tax return preparation to low-income taxpayers through the help of IRS-trained community volunteers. By ensuring that eligible residents claim important credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit, VITA supports working families in maximizing their refunds.
This program isn’t just about helping individuals file taxes; it’s about ensuring that every eligible resident can take advantage of the benefits they deserve. As the new tax season begins, the City of San Antonio and its partners encourage the community to utilize this invaluable free service. For more information, visit your local VITA site or contact the City of San Antonio.
Find a VITA site HERE.
For Tax Year 2024
Before you go to the site, please bring the following:
Taxpayers should keep end of year documents including:
Form 1095-A, Health Insurance Marketplace Statement, to reconcile advance Premium Tax Credits for Marketplace coverage
Identification
- Proof of Identification—Drivers License, Government issued Photo I.D.
- Social Security Card or Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN) for you, your spouse and dependents you will claim
- Birth dates for you, your spouse and and dependents you will claim
- Bank Routing Numbers and Account Numbers for Direct Deposit
- To file taxes electronically on a married filing joint tax return, BOTH spouses must be present to sign the required forms
- Last years tax return, if you have it, can really help
- If applicable, tax ID number
Income
- The dates and amounts of any stimulus checks received.
- Wage and earning statement(s) Form W-2 from all employers
- Annuity or retirement: 1099-R
- Social Security Statement: 1099-SSA
- Gambling winnings: W2-G
- Interest and dividend statements from banks (Forms 1099-INT and 1099-DIV)
Expenses
- Mortgage interest: 1098
- Real estate taxes paid (statement or receipt)
- Child care expenses: provider receipt showing provider Identification Number
- Medical Expenses: detailed receipts
- Charitable contributions
- Education: Form 1098-T Tuition Statement; must have the school EIN
- Student Loan Interest: 1098-E
