Free Tax Preparation & Filing

4Cs of Alameda County’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site has closed for the 2023 tax season. We will reopen in February 2025.

If you can’t get assistance from a free tax site location before the April 15th tax deadline, here are some alternative options!

1. Visit uwba.org/freetaxhelp for a list of other tax sites that are still open and open beyond the tax deadline.
2. Prepare your own federal tax return in IRS Direct File and your state tax return in CALfile (if you qualify). To see, if your case falls within the limited eligibility for simple filing through IRS Direct file, visit https://directfile.irs.gov to check if you’re eligible.
   • UWBA’s instruction guide if you’re eligible
   • Note: IRS Direct File will not be available after the April 15th deadline.
3. If you make less than $79k, you can prepare your own federal and state tax return for free using the do-it-yourself / FSA / Facilitated Self Assistance option using our specific local TaxSlayer weblink (that provides even state filing for free)! Contact taxhelp@uwba.org if you need the weblink, guides, and have questions as you prepare your return using our weblink.
4. File a federal extension to file. (Remember that if you owe money, that must be paid by the April 15th tax deadline. The extension to file is not an extension to pay.)
   • The free tax sites can help you file an extension.
   • GetYourRefund (GYR) @ UWBA can help you file an extension AND if you’re eligible, GYR can prepare your tax return after the tax deadline. Contact Lindsay (LRojas@uwba.org) for assistance with that.
   • Use the do-it-yourself / FSA / Facilitated Self Assistance software to file an extension. Instructions from TaxSlayer here.