VITA TAX SERVICE

Tri-County Community Action Partnership Offers Professional Tax Preparation at NO Charge!

You Qualify for Tax Prep If:
Household income is under $35,000 for singles and $67,000 for families.

For more information and to schedule an appointment contact: 888-441-7215

Little Falls

Mondays and Thursdays

609 13th Ave. NE, Suite 4

Brainerd

Tuesdays

(Bthlm Church) 418 8th Ave NE, Lower Level

Long Prairie

Wednesdays

20 9th Street SE (Old Centra Care Hosp.)

Staples

Mon 03/02 & 03/16

City Public Library 122 6th Street. NE

Spanish Translation available at each location.

**Review the Organizer for “Out-Of-Scope Services” for VITA Program!**

You may qualify for free electronic filing

The following software may allow you to prepare and file your income tax returns for free. Eligibility varies by product and depends on your income and other factors.

Use only one software to file both your federal and state income tax returns. Once a return is submitted you are no longer eligible to e-File using a different software provider.

MyFreeTaxes

TaxAct

Cash App

(Please note – Cash App returns must be started on a phone, and on-screen directions will show you how to transition the return to a desktop if you prefer.)

For information on the status of your tax return...

You can call or check online with the IRS and MN Department of Revenue.
To use Where’s My Refund?, Taxpayers must enter their Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification number, filing status and the exact whole dollar amount of their expected refund from the original tax return for the year they’re checking.

IRS-Federal Return

To see your IRS-Federal refund status information, Taxpayers must enter:
• Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification number
• Filing status
• The exact whole dollar amount of the expected refund from the original tax return for the year
📞 Call Internal Revenue Service: 800-829-1954

MN DOR-State Return

To see your MN-State refund status information, Taxpayers must enter:
• Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification number
• Date of Birth
• Filing status
• The exact whole dollar amount of the expected refund from the original tax return for the year. (Include any portion applied to the next year’s estimated tax.)
📞 Call MN Dept. of Revenue: 800-652-9094

Tax FAQ's

Do I need to file a tax return if I Only receive Social Security for income?

If Social Security is your only source of income, you generally do not need to file a federal tax return.

However, you may still want—or need—to file a Minnesota return to claim credits or refunds you may qualify for, such as:

Renters may qualify for the Minnesota Renter’s Credit.
Those with qualifying children may also qualify for the Minnesota Child Tax Credit and/or the K–12 Education Credit.
Homeowners may qualify for a Property Tax Refund (Homestead Credit Refund) by filing Form M1PR.

Even if you do not owe tax, filing the appropriate Minnesota forms can help you receive refunds or credits you’re entitled to.

Do I need to make an appointment or can I simply drop-off my documents for a tax return completion?

Scheduling a tax appointment, taking about 40 minutes total (if all documents are presented), is ideal! If staying the entire time is not an option, then request a drop-off appointment.

Note For Drop-off Appointments:

Both intake forms must be completed at time of drop-off (about 10 minutes)
Have all required documents available, including ID & banking information
Completion of the returns will take about 3-4 weeks
You will receive a call to schedule a time to come review and sign the return before e-filing will be completed.

How long does a tax appointment take? Is the return completed the same day?

A scheduled tax appointment typically takes about 40 minutes to complete (if all tax documents are available) from Intake, Data Entry, to Review and E-Filing.

During Tax Appointment:

Intake forms must be completed
Identification (including social security #s) and banking information is verified
Tax documents are reviewed and used for data entry then returned to the client
The return is completed in a two-step process for quality control:
1) Data entry is completed by one volunteer/staff and then
2) Review and electronic filing of the return by another volunteer/staff

What counties are served by TCC Actions' Free VITA Tax program?

TCC’s serves Crow Wing, Morrison and Todd County, respectively. Appointments are made for the site within the county you reside in (typically).

Our Tax Sites are:

Brainerd Tax Site – Tuesdays
Little Falls Tax Site – Mondays and Thursdays
Long Prairie Tax Site – Wednesdays
Staples Tax Site (Library) – Scheduled days

What if I only want to file for the Renter's Rebate?

The Minnesota Renter’s Rebate is now included in the Minnesota Tax Return . So…

A Minnesota Tax Return will be completed to submit this information
The refund amount then received shortly after the return is filed and processed. (No longer a need to wait for this refund till late summer!!!)