VITA Income Tax Appointments Information

New Things to Note in 2026:

  • The IRS is no longer offering paper checks for tax refunds. It is HIGHLY recommended that clients bring checking or savings account information including routing and account numbers. Chime and Cash App are online banking options that don’t require a lot of documentation to open an account.
  • The IRS can send a prepaid card for refunds, but if it gets lost in the mail, there is no recourse for getting a replacement. Local banks like Tompkins Financial and credit unions like Beginners and Alternatives are also options to open accounts to receive your refund by direct deposit.

VITA Appointment Locations and What Documents to Bring

Tompkins County

Tompkins County Public Library Computer Lab: 101 E. Green St, Ithaca, NY. (Most Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays starting 2/3/2026)

Cortland County

  • Access to Independence, 26 North Main Street, Cortland – IMPORTANT: Google Maps will send you to a jewelry store at 26 Main if you search by address, Use the name (Access to Independence) in Google Maps. If you are at the jewelry store, you are only 2 blocks away! (MOST Weekends starting 1/31/2026)
  • Cortland Presbyterian Church, 25 Church Street, Cortland (Fridays in February)
  • Cortland Chenango Rural Services, 2702 Lower Cincinnatus Road (3/12 and 4/7)
  • McGraw Library, 5 Main Street, McGraw (3/3 and 3/31)
  • Tully Library, 12 State St Tully (2/10 and 3/10)
  • Cortland YWCA, 14 Clayton Avenue, Cortland (2/17 and 3/26)
  • Cortland County Office for the Aging (new in 2026) 165 Main St, Cortland (2/26 and 3/24)

Important Information and Documents List

For weather related cancellations, call 2.1.1 or 1.877.211.8667 during business hours, otherwise check:

Tompkins County appointments, check ithacafreetax.org

Cortland County appointments, check cortlandfreetaxes.org

If you are self-employed:

You will need to complete a self-employment worksheet and bring to your appointment.
Click here for the printable worksheet

 Please bring any of the following that apply to your household:

  • Photo IDs (always required) and Social Security cards / ITIN (required for NEW VITA participants)
  • W-2 forms for ALL jobs held during 2025
  • Unemployment, Social Security, and self-employment (any 1099 form)
  • Pension, including withdrawals from 401k or other plans (1099-R)
  • Child support received
  • Records of payments received for work not reported on W-2 or 1099
  • Copy of last year’s return-if possible
  • Deposit slip with savings and/or checking routing and account numbers (for direct deposit of refund)
  • Any letters or notices you received from the IRS
  • All health insurance information if Marketplace 1095-A, Medicaid 1095-B
  • Records of contributions to Traditional and Roth IRAs, and Health Savings Accounts
  • Records showing any Estimated Tax payments made
  • Documentation of childcare payments, listing provider name, address, Tax ID# (or SS#) and amount you paid in 2025
  • If you, your spouse or a child attended college, bring your tuition expense statement (1098T), documentation of amount spent on books, supplies and equipment, and college account statement
  • Student loan interest statement (1098E)
  • Documentation of alimony and child support
  • Rental information for NYS credit

If itemizing, bring:

  • Property taxes paid – Property owners who paid property taxes for NYS in 2025, need to bring their property tax info plus any STAR credit info
  • Documentation of expenses for medical bills paid by you (not reimbursed by your insurance)
  • Documentation of charitable contributions
  • Documentation of paid mortgage interest and points, and real estate taxes