Important Information
Most VDSS clients are eligible for significant cash benefits from
the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), Child Tax Credit (CTC), and
the new refundable Virginia Earned Income Tax Credit. You must file
your federal and state tax returns to receive these cash benefits.
- Up to $6,935 from the federal Earned Income Tax Credit
- Up to $2,000 per child from the federal Child Tax Credit
- Up to $1,040 from the new Virginia Earned Income Tax Credit
- Additional cash benefits from the IRS sending your withholdings back to you
VDSS can help you get cash from tax refunds. You will not lose any
VDSS benefits if you receive these cash benefits.
How to Prepare for Tax Filing
Tax filing starts in January 2023. Here's how you can prepare now:
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Plan to file your tax return electronically, if possible.
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Plan to file your taxes for free. Most VDSS clients qualify
for free tax preparation assistance through in-person
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) locations or online
through
GetYourRefund.org/VDSS.
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If you are a parent/guardian who claims your child(ren) as
dependents every other year, confirm who is claiming them
before filing. If both taxpayers claim a child on separate
tax returns, this may create errors and tax refunds may be
delayed or even disallowed.
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Confirm that you have a valid Social Security Number or
Individual Taxpayer Identification Number.
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Make sure you have proof of income. Confirm that you
employer will provide you a W-2 or that you will receive a
1099 for contractor work. Keep track of your income and
expenses if you are self-employed.
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If you do not plan on filing or face any difficulty in filing taxes, please let us know by completing this voluntary, anonymous survey. Your response will help VDSS identify strategies that could relieve some of the challenges experienced by the families in the future.
Once tax season starts, you can receive help to file your taxes for free:
The website will walk you through a four-step process:
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Answer questions about your income and household.
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Upload pictures or files for your identity, income, and
other tax documents.
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Your tax preparer will review everything with you over the
phone (you can choose text or phone call options). Be sure
to have a reliable phone number for the review to take
place.
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Your tax preparer will help you file your completed tax
return electronically.
Free virtual or in-person filing with the IRS-certified
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program is also
available. To find an in-person VITA site, you can use the
VITA Site Locator, dial 2-1-1, or visit
www.211virginia.org.
If you need help responding to an IRS notice or audit, or you require
any other tax assistance, you can:
Custodial and non-custodial parents:
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Usually, custodial parents claim any qualifying children as dependents.
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Non-custodial parents may qualify for the childless EITC and tax
refunds can help pay off child support debts.
Missing income proof documents?
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You can still file by filing out IRS Form 4852, "Substitute for Form
W-2, Wage and Tax Statement".
No permanent address or experiencing homelessness?
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You may be able to use an address from a trusted relative or friend, a
shelter, or a service provider, such as a health care clinic or
community action agency.
Information for employers: Effective July 1, 2009, § 40.1-28.7:3 of
the Code of Virginia requires employers to post notices about the
federal EITC
and
Virginia Credit for Low Income Individuals (CLI).
