The Johnson County VITA Program will begin on January 31, 2026.
Don’t pay a fee to get your refund! The IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program offers free tax help to people who need assistance in preparing and filing their tax return.
This year we have two ways for you to file your 2025 federal and state income taxes for free.
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)
The VITA Program provides free tax preparation and filing for Johnson County taxpayers who earned $69,000 or less in 2025. Volunteer tax preparers are certified by the IRS. Clinics are held at the Iowa City Public Library from January 31, 2026, through April 8, 2026. Appointment slots will open weekly beginning January 20, 2026.
Facilitated Self Assistance (FSA)
FSA lets eligible taxpayers prepare and file their own income tax returns online, anytime, anywhere using IRS-certified software at no cost. Eligible taxpayers must have an adjusted 2025 gross income of less than $89,000. Have questions? VITA IRS certified tax preparers are available to help. Just email [email protected] or stop by a VITA Tax Clinic at the Iowa City Public Library on Monday or Wednesday between 2:00 – 8:00 pm or Saturday between 11:00 am and 5:00 pm. No appointment is needed for taxpayers using FSA. Get started now using the link below for the product that works for you.
Who is eligible to schedule a VITA tax preparation appointment?
- Must be a Johnson County resident
- Have 2025 household income of $69,000 or less
- Do not have any of the criteria listed below
Households who are NOT eligible for Johnson County VITA tax preparation assistance:
- Income over $69,000
- Households with more than five stock trades in 2025
- If you received Bitcoin, or any other cryptocurrency, as an award, reward or payment for property or services.
- If you sold Bitcoin, or any other cryptocurrency, or used it to pay for any goods, services or other property.
- Self-employed AND held inventory or had more than $25,000 in expenses or had business loss
- You use your home for business and want to declare part of your home as a business expense
- You made money by renting your home or other residence for more than 14 days
- You are a farm owner who generated income from raising/selling farm animals or crops
- You are in the military and had moving expenses or had non-taxable pay
Items you must bring:
- Driver’s license, state photo ID, or other government issued photo ID for you (and your spouse if filing a joint return)
- Social Security cards or Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN) Letters for everyone on the return (you, spouse and dependents)
- If you need a replacement social security card, go to https://www.ssa.govnumber-card to find the best way to get one
- If you or a dependent, needs an ITIN, we can help you apply for one. Bring your passport and the passport of the person who needs the ITIN to your VITA appointment.
- Birthdates for you, your spouse, and all dependents
- Wage and earning statements (Form W-2 or 1099-NEC) from all employers in 2023
- Social Security year-end benefit statement (SSA-1099) you received
- 1099-R (retirement distribution statement) forms you received
- Bank interest (1099-INT) forms you received
- Any other income-related forms you received including 1099-MISC (other income), 1099-G (government payments, including unemployment), 1099-B (brokerage statements), and W-2G (gambling income)
- Bank routing number and checking/savings account number if you want direct deposit
- Last year’s state and federal tax return if you filed
- IRS Identity Protection Personal Identification Number or IPPIN, if you have one
- Any letters received from the IRS
- To file taxes electronically on a married-filing-jointly tax return, both spouses must be present to sign the required forms.
Items to bring if they apply to you:
- Amount of interest from bank accounts if no 1099 issued. You can bring a year-end statement.
- Proof of child care expenses paid (statement from provider with EIN# or Social Security #)
- If you had health insurance through the Market Place, your Healthcare Marketplace Form 1095-A
- Student loan interest statement (1098E)
- Tuition statements (1098T) for you, your spouse, or your dependents
- If you are a K-12 teacher, total of unreimbursed classroom expenses
- If you installed energy efficient home items such as windows, furnace, insulation, the receipt for the amount you paid
- Statement of how much money you put into an IRA
- Any other information you have that you think may be related to your return
If you are self-employed, including driving Lyft or Uber:
- A list of income including tips and any 1099- NEC forms you received
- A list of your business expenses, totaled by category
- Business mileage totals
If you own a home or paid over $2,000 out-of-pocket for medical expenses:
- Mortgage interest statement (1098)
- Property taxes paid in 2025 if they are not on your mortgage statement
- Receipts for charitable contributions and the total
- Vehicle registration amount
- Out of pocket medical payments, including health insurance premiums, medical, dental, vision, hospital, pharmacy costs, and mileage to and from medical appointments.
For questions regarding the VITA program email [email protected]
Please call Johnson County Social Services at 319-356-6090 to request translation services for VITA tax preparation clinics.