Need help preparing and filing your state and federal income tax return due Monday, April 15? The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program in partnership with Chippewa Valley Technical College and Royal Credit Union can help.

VITA was created to provide free basic income tax return preparation and e-filing to taxpayers who cannot afford to pay for professional help. VITA volunteers provide free tax assistance to anyone with an adjusted gross income of $66,000 or less, including disabled, non-English speaking, senior, and special needs taxpayers.

The service will be available at CVTC’s Business Education Center, 620 W. Clairemont Ave., Eau Claire, on Thursdays from noon to 4pm from Feb. 1 until April 11, except for March 21, when CVTC will be closed for spring break. Appointments are required and can be made by calling (800) 341-9911 ext. 6 or online at www.rcu.org/VITA.

Participating taxpayers must bring a photo ID, Social Security cards for taxpayer and all dependents, earnings statements, a copy of last year’s tax return, forms 1095 (A, B, or C) affordable health care statements, rent certificates from landlords or property tax statement, and a financial institution’s routing and account numbers for direct deposit.

CVTC student volunteers who have taken steps to become certified by the Internal Revenue Service and the Wisconsin Department of Revenue will determine a taxpayer’s eligibility and prepare the tax returns. Taxpayers with complicated returns will be referred to the IRS, IRS publications, or private professional assistance.