In 2011, our Brighter Beginnings’ VITA Sites were able to help prepare tax returns for 336 families and return more than $500,000 to our communities!

What is VITA?

As a member of the Earn It! Keep It! Save It! Coalition for Alameda and Contra Costa Counties, Brighter Beginnings has the pleasure of being a VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) Site that prepares FREE tax returns for low to moderate income families and individuals earning less than $50,000 a year. We want to help people with their tax return, ensuring they receive the tax refund they deserve! With the help of the Earn It! Keep It! Save It! Coalition and the IRS, we train and certify volunteers so they can prepare returns for our clients.

Having Your Taxes Prepared

Want to have your taxes prepared with one of our VITA Sites? This tax filing season, Brighter Beginnings will be having our VITA Sites at the following three locations:

Brighter Beginnings Oakland Center

• Where: 2595 International Blvd., Oakland CA 94601
• Opening Day: January 26th, 2012
• When: Every Thursday from 6pm-9pm

Brighter Beginnings Richmond Center

• Where: 2727 Macdonald Ave., Richmond CA 94804
• Opening Day: January 25th, 2012
• When: Every Wednesday from 6pm-9pm

Brighter Beginnings Antioch Center

• Where: 512 West Fifth St., Antioch CA 94509
• Opening Day: January 22nd, 2012
• When: Every Sunday from 10am-3pm

What to bring to your Appointment:

• Photo identification (for you and your spouse, if filing jointly)
• Social Security Card or ITIN numbers for each family member
• All W2 forms for all jobs held in 2011, all 1099 forms, all 1098 forms, and other income forms
• Child care provider information
• Landlord contact information for the California’s Renter’s Credit
• Last year’s tax return (if you have it)
• A voided check for Direct Deposit

To make an appointment to have your taxes prepared at one of our sites, please call Brighter Beginnings’ toll free number to schedule a time with one of our volunteer tax preparers:

1 (877) 427.7134

Get Involved: Volunteer at a VITA Site

Interested in helping out in your community? Become a VITA Volunteer! By being a VITA site volunteer, you will:

• Learn a valuable and useful skill: tax preparation
• Regularly work with other volunteers that want to help people too
• Help families and individuals get their full tax refund
• See the immediate effects of your hard work – a family sees their refund amount and can’t stop smiling and thanking you!

Our Tax Preparation Training is free and takes approximately 24-36 hours to complete and is usually held in December (Alameda County) or January (Contra Costa County). Volunteers then take a test to certify at up to 3 levels: basic, intermediate, and advanced.

If you are interested in volunteering during our VITA season, please feel free to email volunteers [at] brighter-beginnings.org to learn more about the opportunity!