Established in 2008, Wyoming Free Tax Service is a coalition of statewide VITA sites that strive to better serve more people better within the categories of low to moderate income families in rural areas of Wyoming.

Local VITA programs have expanded coverage to even more rural communities with traveling site set-ups/volunteers.  Our experience across the WFTS varied locations has demonstrated that a multiplicity of approaches is required to better reach more varied demographics: promotional campaigns must include public service announcements, paid advertising, social media, outreach via local community resources, seminars on tax obligations, and “word of mouth” recognition by satisfied clients.

WFTS operates through collaborative efforts with non-profit agencies, such as senior centers, youth programs and local government funded organizations like our libraries and human services. 

We work with the IRS office to provide preparation service throughout the year after filing season to address any issues or prepare both prior year and current year returns for taxpayers who missed the filing season or received letters from the IRS.

WFTS completed over 4500 tax returns with the help from 101 tax certified volunteers.  We have twenty-one (21) sites across the State of Wyoming.

The IRS’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs offer free basic tax return preparation to qualified individuals.

The VITA program has operated for over 50 years. VITA sites offer free tax help to people who need assistance in preparing their own tax returns, including:

• People who generally make $67,000 or less
• Persons with disabilities; and
• Limited English-speaking taxpayers

In addition to VITA, the TCE program offers free tax help, particularly for those who are 60 years of age and older, specializing in questions about pensions and retirement-related issues unique to seniors.

While the IRS manages the VITA and TCE programs, the VITA/TCE sites are operated by IRS partners and staffed by volunteers who want to make a difference in their communities. The IRS-certified volunteers who provide tax counseling are often retired individuals associated with non-profit organizations that receive grants from the IRS.

VITA/TCE services are not only free, they are also a reliable and trusted source for preparing tax returns. All VITA/TCE volunteers who prepare returns must take and pass tax law training that meets or exceeds IRS standards. This training includes maintaining the privacy and confidentiality of all taxpayer information. In addition to requiring volunteers to certify their knowledge of the tax laws, the IRS requires a quality review check for every return prepared at a VITA/TCE site prior to filing. Each filing season, tens of thousands of dedicated VITA/TCE volunteers prepare millions of federal and state returns. They also assist taxpayers with the preparation of thousands of Facilitated Self-Assistance returns.

https://www.irs.gov/individuals/free-tax-return-preparation-for-qualifying-taxpayers