PLEASE NOTE: ALL VITA SITES HAVE SUSPENDED OPERATIONS. THE DEADLINE FOR FILING TAXES HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO JULY 15. Things are ever changing during this COVID-19 outbreak; we are keeping this page updated with all new IRS information.
When people are financially stable, they can make financial decisions that benefit themselves and their families, which, in turn, benefits the community. Being financially stable also puts families in a better position to handle crisis – job loss, illness or other unforeseen expenses.
The VITA program is just one way United Way of Acadiana is creating financial stability. In the last three years, this program put approximately $13 million back in the hands of hardworking families through free tax preparation assistance. During that period, volunteers assisted thousands of Acadiana residents in filing their taxes, helping them claim approximately $2 million each year of the nearly $30 million in Earned Income Tax Credit that goes unclaimed annually.
IRS Certified Tax Preparers are available to help you in Acadia, Evangeline, Iberia, Lafayette, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary & Vermilion Parishes. Questions? Please contact Nicole Phillips at nicole.phillips@unitedwayofacadiana.org or 337.706.1213.
2020 VITA Sites:
ACADIA PARISH
ASSIST Agency
11 North Parkerson Avenue, Crowley, LA 70526
(337) 788-7550
Opening Day: January 27
Monday & Wednesday: 8:30 am - 3:00 pm (appointment only)
Tuesday & Thursday: 8:30 am - 3:00 pm (walk-ups welcome)
Note: This site will have extended hours on Saturday, February 22 from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm and Thursday, March 12 from 4:00 – 7:00 by appointment only.
EVANGELINE PARISH
VITA Ad Hoc
126 East Main Street, Ville Platte, LA 70586
(337) 363-2939 or (337) 363-3727
Opening Day: January 27
BY APPOINTMENT ONLY
IBERIA PARISH
SMILE Community Action Agency
722 Walton Street, New Iberia, LA 70560
(337) 365-8151
Opening Day: February 3
Monday - Thurdsay: 9:00 am to 12:00 pm (appointment only)
LAFAYETTE PARISH
Acadiana High School
315 Rue Du Belier Street, Lafayette, LA 70506
(337) 521-7950
Opening Day: January 27
Drop-off services only. Please call for appointment and instructions.
Lafayette Library's Main Branch
301 Congress Street, Lafayette, LA 70501
Walk-ups welcome
February 4: 6:00 - 8:00 pm
February 11: 6:00 - 8:00 pm
February 18: 6:00 - 8:00 pm
February 29: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm (Super Tax Day)
March 17: 6:00 - 8:00 pm
March 21: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
March 24: 6:00 - 8:00 pm
March 31: 6:00 - 8:00 pm
April 4: 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Northside High School
301 Dunand Street, Lafayette, LA 70501
(337) 706-1213
By appointment only
February 22: 9:00 am - 2:00 pm (Super Tax Day)
March 7: 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
March 21: 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
April 4: 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
SMILE Community Action Agency
501 St. John Street, Lafayette, LA 70501
(337) 234-3272
By appointment only - SPANISH OFFERED
Opening Day: February 3 - April 15
Monday – Thursday: 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
ST. LANDRY PARISH
Sustainable Agriculture & Development Institute (SARDI)
1209 Diesi Street, Opelousas, LA 70570
(337) 943-2410
By appointment only
Opening Day: January 27
Monday - Friday: 4:30 - 6:00 pm
Saturday: 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
ST. MARTIN PARISH
SMILE Community Action Agency
2097 Terrace Road, St. Martinville, LA 70582
(337) 394-6014
Opening Day: February 3
Tuesday – Friday: 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm (appointment only)
ST. MARY PARISH
St. Mary Community Action Agency
1407 Barrow Street, Franklin, LA 70538
337-828-5703
Opening Day: January 27
Monday: By Appointment Only
Tuesday - Thursday: 8:30 am - 3:00 PM
Friday: By Appointment Only
St. Mary Community Action Agency
4014 Chennault St., Morgan City, LA 70380
985-384-7446
Opening Day: January 27
Tuesday & Thursday 8:00 am - 3:00 PM
Friday: By Appointment Only
VERMILION PARISH
ASSIST Agency
407 Charity Street, Abbeville, LA 70510
(337) 898-9554
Opening Day: January 27
Monday & Wednesday: 8:30 am - 3:00 pm (appointment only)
Tuesday & Thursday: 8:30 am - 3:00 pm (walk-ups welcome)
Note: This site will have extended hours on Saturday, February 22 from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm and Thursday, March 12 from 4:00 – 7:00 by appointment only.
Felicia Williams, Independent Site Coordinator
1905 Veterans Memorial Dr, Abbeville, LA 70510
(337) 385-8502
Opening Day: January 27
Super Tax Day (walk ups welcome): February 8, 9 am - 4 pm
All other days by appointment only
Frequently Asked Questions:
Tell me about the VITA program, please.
VITA stands for Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program and it offers free tax preparation utilizing volunteers that are certified and trained by the IRS.
Who is eligible for this free service?
Anyone with a household income of $56,000 or less is eligible for the free service.
Do most people get a refund?
YES! Just last year we helped Acadiana residents claim nearly $3 million in refunds.
How many people took advantage of this program last year?
Over 3,000 local residents utilized our service last year.
What are Super Tax Days?
Super Tax Days are tax prep events that we utilize to bring wide scale awareness to the VITA program.
What should people bring with them when meeting with the tax specialist?
- Driver's License
- Social Security Card
- W2s and other tax documents
When it comes to tax preparation, what tips can you offer folks?
Most people do not take advantage of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). We aggressively search for the EITC as it can garner over $6,000 extra on your refund.
