The city of Surprise Human Services and Community Vitality Department, in partnership with A New Leaf, is offering free tax preparation services to both individuals and families with qualifying incomes.

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program offers IRS-trained and certified volunteers to assist households making less than $56,000 who need help processing their annual income tax returns. VITA sites provide free tax preparation and help taxpayers apply for benefits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit.

Tax preparation assistance will be available Monday, Jan. 30 through Tuesday, April 18 at the Surprise Resource Center, 12425 W. Bell Road, Suite 124.

No appointment is necessary, and walk-ins are welcome from 4 to 8 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursdays.

Note the Resource Center will be closed on Monday, Feb. 20, for Presidents’ Day.

VITA assistance will also be available at Riverboat Bingo, 18300 W. Bell Road, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesdays from Feb. 1 through April 12,

When visiting any of the VITA sites residents must bring their own pens. Note that children or additional people not required for tax preparation purposes will not be allowed at any of the sites.

Those planning to come in for tax preparation assistance are asked to bring the following items:

• Social Security cards or ITIN and birthdates for everyone on the tax return
• Proof of photo identification for both taxpayer and spouse (if applicable)
• Copy of prior year tax return
• Proof of bank account and routing number for direct deposit/debit
• Proof of foreign status, if applying for an ITIN
• Wage and earning statements (Form W-2, W-2G, 1099-R, SSA-1099, 1099-Misc, 1099-NEC) from all employers
• Interest and dividend statements (Forms 1099-INT, 1099-DIV)
• Information for all other income (Pensions Form 1099-R, Social Security Statement Form 1099-SSA, Sale of stocks and bonds Form 1099-B)
• Documents for medical deductions, property taxes paid, mortgage interest, auto registration, charity contributions – all added up individually
• Form 1098-T from educational institution to claim education credits
• Amount paid to day care provider, their tax ID number, name, and address
• Form 1095-A, Health Insurance Marketplace Statement
• Unmasked copies of income transcripts from IRS and state, if applicable
• For married filing joint returns, both taxpayer and spouse must be present to sign the tax returns before it is electronically filed.

To download and fill out the intake packet in advance, head to TurnANewLeaf.org/Vita-Program.

For information, call 623-222-1600.