Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)

Immigrant and Refugee Community Services

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) helps individuals in the Des Moines metro file personal Tax Returns, including those who are self-employed or small business owners. This free program is funded by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for refugee and immigrant communities with limited English proficiency. Individuals can expect quality and secure returns by certified preparers. The IRS reports that $1.5 billion in refunds go unclaimed every year.

Program Partially Funded by United Way of Central Iowa

Tax Clinic Hours: February 8 – April 15

VITA will begin accepting appointment calls February 1st

Appointments strongly encouraged. To make an appointment: call/text 515.443.2870 or email VITA@LSIowa.org

Tuesdays: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Thursdays: 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Saturdays: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Lutheran Services in Iowa

Immigrant and Refugee Community Services

3116 University Ave. in Des Moines

Why file?

Get money back

The IRS reports that $1.6 billion of returns go unclaimed every year-you could be missing out on a return. In some cases, you may get money back when you file your tax return. For example, if your employer withheld taxes from your paycheck, you may be owed are fund when you file your taxes.

Apply for Citizenship

In order to apply for citizenship, you must show five years of certified tax returns (or three years if married to a U.S. citizen or another special category). Start filing your first year to prevent any delays in social benefits, such as Social Security and Medicare.

Get an accurate picture of your income

Want to buy a better car or home? You will need a loan. When you apply for a loan, lenders will look at your tax return to figure your interest rate and decide if you can repay. If you file accurate tax returns, you may get a loan with a lower interest rate and better repayment terms

Avoid interest and penalties

You may avoid interest and penalties by filing an accurate tax return on time and paying any tax you owe in the right way before the deadline. Even if you can’t pay, you should file on time or request an extension to avoid owing more money.

Protect your credit

You may avoid having alien placed against you when you file an accurate tax return on time and pay any tax you owe in the right way before the deadline. Liens can damage your credit score and make it harder for you to get a loan.

Apply for financial aid

Do you or your children want to attend college? An accurate tax return can make it easier to apply for help with education expenses.

Why file with a VITA site?

Free assistance

to those who are eligible

We will never charge you fees for assistance. We are funded through the IRS to provide eligible populations with free assistance.

Avoid scams, fraud,

and predatory filers

All tax volunteers are vetted, trained and held to high ethical standards, meaning that you can feel secure in your decision to work with us.

Confidence in your return

All tax returns are reviewed by professionals with years of experience.

Translation available

Free to those who need it. Feel confident in your ability to complete the tax return.

Contact Us

Email VITA@LSIowa.org or call/text +1 515.443.2870

Need Help?