Tax Assistance

BTHC VITA provides free tax preparation in Boston and Cambridge

Availability

Unfortunately, we is not taking new appointments at this time. The demand for this program was much higher than expected. As of February 26th, 2024, we are fully booked through April. If you have completed a consultation form but have yet to receive a call, we will call you back. If we determine on the consultation call that you qualify for our services, you will be offered an April appointment if available.

Locations

BTHC VITA offers in-person tax assistance at the Cambridge Public Library and the Wilmer Hale Legal Services Center of Harvard Law School in Jamaica Plain.

BTHC VITA cannot assist Taxpayers with:

  • Foreign Source Income (Foreign Pensions)

  • Cryptocurrency Income

  • Form W-7 application for Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)

  • Form SS-5 (request for Social Security Number)

  • Income from outside of MA State

Eligibility

You may qualify for free tax assistance if you have less than $70,000 in income for 2023.

  • Photo identification for you and your spouse (if filing a joint return)

  • Social Security cards or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number documents for you, your spouse, and all dependents

  • Birth dates for you, your spouse, and all dependents

  • If available, a copy of last year’s tax return (for reference)

  • All 1099 forms - 1099-G (unemployment), 1099-R (retirement income/pension payments), 1099-INT (interest), SSA-1099 (Social Security), 1099-NEC (self-employment)

  • If applicable, proof of health insurance (health insurance cards, MA 1099-HC

Please remember to have the following information:

  • If applicable, total child care expenses in 2023, and the child care provider’s name, address, and Employer Identification Number (EIN) or SSN

  • If applicable, all 1098T forms (tuition payments), receipts for materials and books, and bursar statement

  • If you want direct deposit, routing and account numbers for your tax refund

  • Any mail from the Massachusetts Department of Revenue (DOR)

  • Any mail from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

  • Total rental expense paid in 2023

  • All W-2 forms from all jobs for 2023

We cannot complete and file your tax returns if you do not have all your documents.