Putting cash in your family's pocket every month for the things you need, even if you make little or no money. Claim the Child Tax Credit today!
The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Child Tax Credit (CTC) provide substantial financial returns of up to thousands of dollars back to account for you and your family's unique circumstances.
If you qualify for the EITC, you also qualify to have your taxes prepared for free!
For any free tax preparation service (virtual or in person), you will need to bring several documents with you in order to successfully file. Click here for a tax-prep checklist.
And if you don't have all the required documents, don't worry! Call 2-1-1 to receive a walkthrough on how to get everything in order.
Tax-Prep Checklist
- Proof of Income
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Forms W-2 from your employer(s)
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Forms 1099 from banks, issuing agencies, and other payers including unemployment compensation , dividends, distributions from a pension, annuity or retirement plan
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Form 1099-K , 1099-MISC , W-2 or other income statement if you worked in the gig economy
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Form 1099-INT if you were paid interest
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Other income documents and records of virtual currency transactions. Remember, most income is taxable . This includes:
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Income from the gig economy, and
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Virtual currencies
- Proof of Insurance
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Form 1095-A (Health Insurance Marketplace Statement) to reconcile advance Premium Tax Credits for Marketplace coverage
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Letter 6419 (2021 Total Advance Child Tax Credit Payments) to reconcile your advance Child Tax Credit payments
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Letter 6475 (Your 2021 Economic Impact Payment), to determine whether you're eligible to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit
Notify the IRS if your address changes and notify the Social Security Administration of a legal name change.
- NOTE: If you file with a VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) site , you may need the following:
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Personal Information (Bring ALL documents)
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Valid Picture ID
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Taxpayer Identification Number: Social Security Card, Social Security Number Verification or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number
Free Tax Preparation Assistance Options
File Virtually On Your Own
Using MyFreeTaxes or any
of the options provided by
Virginia Free File, choose the course of action that best suits your circumstances.
These sites allow you to file your taxes directly online, guiding
you through a series of prompts and questions about your finances
until you've completed the tax filing process.
Several options, such as MyFreeTaxes, offer an assistance
hotline.
File Virtually with an IRS-certified volunteer
Go to www.getyourrefund.org/vdss and begin filing using a smartphone, tablet, or computer with internet access!
- Answer questions
- The website will direct you through a series of questions about your finances.
- Submit documents
- Upload all necessary documents (ID, W-2's, 1099, 1095-A,B,C).
- Phone review
- Your tax preparer will review everything with you over the phone via call or text - the choice is yours! Make sure to have a reliable contact number for your remote appointment.
- Get your refund!
- Your tax preparer will help you to file electronically.
File at a Volunteer Income Tax Assistant (VITA) Site Through a Virtual or In-Person Appointment*
If you would like to visit a physical site for free tax preparation, you can use the following IRS VITA Site Locator, dial 2-1-1, or visit www.211virginia.org to find a location near you.
Please keep in mind that all VITA sites are all different, and that many have adjusted operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many sites are not conducting on-site tax preparation as in past years, and many more are operating at a modified and/or limited capacity for the same reason.
Several VITA sites have the capacity for virtual appointments on a limited basis. Please refer to the service details for the VITA site of your choice provided on the VITA Site Locator.
File Virtually On Your Own
Using MyFreeTaxes or any of the options provided by Virginia Free File, choose the course of action that best suits your circumstances. These sites allow you to file your taxes directly online, guiding you through a series of prompts and questions about your finances until you've completed the tax filing process.
Several options, such as MyFreeTaxes, offer an assistance hotline.
Contact Us
For additional EITC assistance, you may contact us in the following ways:
- E-mail: eitc@dss.virginia.gov
- Phone: Virginia 2-1-1
For contact information regarding other VDSS programs and services, click here.
- Get an Identity Protection (PIN)
- Do I qualify for the EITC?
- EITC - Internal Revenue Services
- EITC & Our Community Partners
- EITC General Requirements IRS Publication 4194
Make Your Tax Credit Work for You
- Seven ways to make the most of your refund (PDF)
- Use your tax return for debt relief (PDF)
- Virginia Individual Development Accounts (VIDA)
Employer Posters & Information
Effective July 1, 2009, § 40.1-28.7:3 of the Code of Virginia required employers to post notices about the federal EITC and state Credit for Low-Income (CLI) taxpayers.
