FAQ (frequently asked questions)

At Malden Tax Partnership, we've done our best to create a Web site that anticipates and satisfies your questions about the VITA Site and EITC for low-wage earners. With that goal in mind, we've compiled a list of frequently asked questions. If you do not find an answer to your question here, contact us at tax partnership @ maldensquare.org or call our automated message system at 1-866-863-2823 and we’ll call you back.

What is a VITA Site?

• VITA stands for Volunteer Income Tax Assistance. VITA Sites are overseen by the IRS, which provides training and support for VITA Coordinators and volunteers. At the VITA Site, low wage earners with simple tax situations can get their income tax return prepared and filed electronically for free. 

How Safe is My Information if I Use a VITA Site?

• VITA Sites must protect the privacy of all taxpayers who use the VITA Site. 
• Your confidentiality and privacy are very important to you and to us. We will never use the information for anything unrelated to preparing & processing your tax return. 
• For example, we may call you the following year to schedule you in advance for tax preparation or to notify you of other services, such as our free financial literacy program. 
• We are required by the IRS to keep certain forms for several years; rest assured that these forms will be stored in a secure location accessible only to volunteers and staff who have agreed to respect your privacy and maintain your confidentiality.
• We are required by the IRS to destroy other information we collect that could personally identify you. We will use shredders to destroy that information to further protect your privacy. 

What is the EITC?

• A federal tax credit for low-wage earners
• Massachusetts also has an EITC; if you qualify for the federal EITC, you will also get the Mass EITC (15% of the Federal ETIC)
• It provides a tax credit to the person; you get money back from the IRS

How is the EITC Calculated?

• The amount of the credit is based on your income and family size
• Even a single person with no children may be eligible

How Much Can I Get Back?

• The amount varies greatly, depending on your specific situation
• The amount can range from a few hundred dollars to a maximum of $4,356!

Is the EITC Hard to Apply For?

• No, is it very simple 
• When we prepare your tax return, we will automatically check to see if you qualify
• The software program (provided by the IRS) calculates the credit with your return

How Do I Sign Up?

• Check to see if you are eligible. Low income residents who don’t qualify for the EITC can still have their taxes prepared by us, so if you are in doubt, call us.
• If you are eligible, sign up at the Cyber Café, 110 Pleasant Street, Malden, MA, or call 1-866-833-2823. We'll give you an appointment for your session.  Tax returns are done by appointment only. We have daytime and early evening hours, as well as some Saturday sessions.
• Tax returns should take approximately 1 hour to prepare. You’ll need to come at least 15 minutes early to complete the IRS-required intake form. The information on that form will be necessary for us to complete your tax return.

What if I Only Want to File a Massachusetts (state) Tax Return?

• Some people do not need to file federal income taxes. If you are low income and plan to file Massachusetts state taxes only, we can complete your Mass tax return by completing the federal form first because the information on that moves into the state form automatically. We will submit only the Mass tax return (not the federal). This way, you can still file your Massachusetts tax return electronically and get your refund more quickly. 

Do You Qualify?

To qualify for the credit, you must have worked (earned income) in 2008 and both your earned income and adjusted gross income for 2008 must fit the guidelines below.

If you are Single: ...with 0 children (see Note) ...with 1 qualifying child ...with 2 or more qualifying children Your income must be less than: $12,880 $ 33,995 $38,646 If you are Married and filing jointly: ...with 0 children (see Note) ...with 1 qualifying child ...with 2 or more qualifying children Income for both must be less than: $15,880 $36,995 $41,646

 

 

 

 

 

NOTE: If you have no (0) qualifying children, you must also meet these extra criteria: Age: you (and your spouse if married and filing jointly) must be at least age 25 but under age 65 at the end of 2008 (December 31, 2008) Dependents: you (and your spouse if married and filing jointly) cannot be claimed as a dependent on anyone else’s 2008 tax return Residence: your home (and your spouse’s if married and filing jointly) was in the United States for more than half of 2008 What is a Qualifying Child? Your son, daughter, adopted child, stepchild, or a descendant of any of your children (e.g., your grandchild); or Brother, sister, stepbrother, stepsister, or a descendant (e.g., your niece or nephew) of any of them whom you cared for as you would your own child, or Eligible foster child

 

 

2007 Tax Returns:

$48,433 refunded
 

to local residents who e-filed with the Malden Tax Partnership
Plus more than 120 Economic Stimulus 2007 TaxesReturns filed

Click to see more details

 

Volunteers Needed (click Volunteer Match to read description):  

 

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