Programs | Hopi VITA Partnership

Hopi VITA Partnership
(Volunteer Income Tax Association)

About Hopi VITA Partnership

The Hopi VITA Partnership started in the spring of 2013 through a partnership between DNA People's Legal Services and Northland Pioneer College. The Hopi Foundation and Northern Arizona United Way became involved in 2014 to assist with community outreach, technical assistance through training and education, and fundraising to grow the program to serve the broader community. Services were further expanded through the Mobile Internet Library in 2015, and in 2016, the Hopi Credit Association joined the partnership.

Providing FREE Income Tax Assistance with the Helping Hands of Volunteers

What is VITA?

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program is an IRS initiative designed to promote and support free tax preparation services for the underserved in both urban and non-urban locations. Service is targeted to low-to-moderate income individuals, persons with disabilities, the elderly, and the limited-English speaking.

IRS-certified volunteers provide free basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals in local communities. They can inform taxpayers about special tax credits for which they may qualify such as Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, and Credit for the Elderly or the Disabled.

VITA sites are generally located at community and neighborhood centers, libraries, schools, shopping malls, and other convenient locations.

What is VITA?

Who Qualifies?

To qualify, you must earn less than $75,000 and need assistance in preparing your own tax return.

If you have a simple tax return and need a little help or do not have access to a computer, you can come into a Hopi VITA site and an IRS-certified volunteer can help you with filing your federal and state returns or guide you through the process online.

Who Qualifies for Assistance?

Benefits of VITA

Benefits of Hopi VITA

Since 2013, the VITA program has seen an increase in the number of clients served annually. To date, we have served 725 individuals, returned $936,582 of tax refunds for individuals, and saved $416,014 in earned income tax credits for local families.

Filing Process

Tax Prep & Return Process

On the day you walk in, we will upload your documents to the cloud before we can begin preparing your return. You will then need to make an appointment to review and sign your tax return before it is filed. We have a one-week turnaround to prepare your tax return.

Necessary Documents

• Picture ID for taxpayer (and spouse)
• Social Security or ITIN cards for all household members
• Proof of income, including ALL W2’s, 1099 forms, S.S. Benefits Statement and any other income received.
• Date of Retirement.
• All other important tax documents
• Name, address and tax ID# of child care provider and amount paid.
• Account and routing numbers for direct deposit
• Copy of last year’s tax return (Does not need to be done through VITA)
• If filing jointly, both adults must be present.

Necessary Documents to Bring

Hopi VITA Locations

On the Hopi reservation, there are two sites prepared to assist with screening, intake, interview, and scanning of their documents. These sites are:

NPC Hopi Center (Keams Canyon)
Hopi Nutrition Center (Kykotsmovi)

Hopi VITA Locations

Volunteering with VITA

The Hopi VITA Partners help to recruit new and returning volunteers each year. There are volunteer opportunities for all levels, no experience necessary as the VITA Partnership will provide free training and education for new and returning volunteers.

The volunteer roles that you can consider including Screener/Greeters for intake and interview, tax preparers (both basic and advanced levels are available), quality reviewer, and site coordinators. As services are provided to individuals of all ages, bilingual skills are helpful at any level.

Contact any of our partners today to request for additional information such as our training schedule and VITA locations.

Volunteering with VITA