Here’s How Santa Barbara County Residents Can Access Free Tax Filing Assistance Through VITA

Santa Barbara County residents can access free tax preparation and filing services through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.

The program provides eligible households with no-cost federal and state tax return preparation, available online or in person. According to program organizers, United Way covers the cost of filing for eligible residents.

Residents interested in participating can visit MyFreeTaxes.org to learn more or begin the process, or schedule an in-person appointment at a local VITA site.

Residents with a 2025 household income of $67,000 or less qualify for in-person assistance. Those earning up to $73,000 may file online through MyFreeTaxes.org. All filing options are free for residents who meet the income requirements.

The program also assists individuals filing with an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), with multilingual support available.

The 2026 VITA filing season runs from February 2 through April 15.

Services Available

• Preparation and filing of standard wage and employment income returns
• Assistance with eligible self-employment, contract, and cash income within program guidelines
• Support for ITIN filers
• Help claiming tax credits such as CalEITC, Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), Child Tax Credit (CTC), and Young Child Tax Credit (YCTC)
• Reporting unemployment income
• Filing returns that include Social Security and retirement income
• Reporting gambling winnings
• Claiming mortgage interest and charitable contribution deductions
• Claiming qualified medical expense deductions
• Preparation of prior-year returns for up to three previous tax years

VITA cannot prepare returns without proper identification, including a valid government-issued photo ID and original Social Security card or ITIN letter. Married Filing Separate returns in California are not supported.

The program does not assist with complex business returns involving losses, employees, inventory, business property, depreciation, or expenses exceeding $35,000.

VITA also does not assist with cryptocurrency transactions, foreign income, rental or Airbnb income, partnership or trust income reported on Schedule K-1, multi-state returns, returns with more than five capital gains transactions, or Nonresident Alien returns requiring Form 1040-NR.

Income documents such as Forms W-2, W-2G, 1099 (including 1099-INT, 1099-R, and 1099-MISC), Social Security Benefit Statement (Form SSA-1099), unemployment income statements, interest and dividend statements, and a prior-year tax return (if available) should be brought, as applicable.

Health insurance forms, banking details for direct deposit, and documentation for education expenses, childcare, charitable contributions, and medical costs should also be provided when applicable.

Couples filing jointly must both be present to sign the required forms.

Those with more complicated tax needs may wish to consult a qualified tax professional for personalized assistance.