The IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs offer tax help for taxpayers who qualify. Services are completely free and include completing and e-filing your return and direct deposit of your refund.
In-Person Tax Prep Sites
At these sites, you will sit down with a VITA or TCE preparer. Depending on the site, you may walk in and/or call for an appointment, and must meet certain income eligibility requirements.
Drop-Off Service
Drop off your tax documents and pick up the completed return later.
Virtual Tax Prep
Upload your tax documents to a secure digital system and then have a 60-90 minute virtual call with a VITA/TCE volunteer preparer who will answer your tax questions and help you file your return.
Assisted Self-Preparation
File your own taxes online using free tax filing software but contact a VITA/TCE volunteer preparer for help when needed. Additional income/age limits apply.
New York City
NYC VITA sites offer in-person, drop-off, and online tax prep services to individuals and families meeting certain income eligibility requirements. Depending on the site, in-person and/or drop off service may be available, and an appointment may be required.
Learn more and view sites in New York City
Chicago
Drop-off Services
The City of Chicago works with its nonprofit partner, Ladder Up, to offer free tax help. Ladder Up is operating free, in-person, walk-in services only. Income eligibility requirements apply.
Los Angeles
In LA, IRS-certified volunteers provide free basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing to individuals and families meeting certain income eligibility requirements. Depending on the site, in-person and/or drop off service may be available, and an appointment may be required.
Learn more and view sites in Los Angeles
AEA and SAG-AFTRA Union Members (NYC)
The VITA site located at the NYC Equity building will be open February 3, 2025, on an appointment basis. Appointments may be made in person on the 14th floor of the Actors’ Equity building or online. This site serves paid-up members of SAG-AFTRA and AEA only.
AEA and SAG-AFTRA Union Members (LA)
The VITA site located at the Entertainment Community Fund offices in Los Angeles is not offering any appointments or services for 2025. There is no virtual or in-person tax preparation service at or in connection with this site this year. We apologize for the inconvenience and hope to see you next year.
Self-Preparation
Federal Return
The IRS Free File program offers access to brand-name tax preparation software free of charge for those who earned $79,000 or less in 2023. Returns may be completed online at IRS.gov or using the IRS2Go app. Some Free File packages also offer free state tax return preparation.
State Returns
You may visit the following sites to self-prepare and file your state return:
- New York—Prepare and file your NY state return for free (subject to an income cap) here.
- Illinois—Prepare and file your IL state return for free here.
- California—Prepare and file your CA state return for free here.
Preparing to File
Deduction Worksheets
To support the entertainment community in gathering and organizing their tax information, SAG-AFTRA has posted free VITA worksheets on their website that anyone may use.
Learn More
(Scroll down to “Resources & Downloads”)
Tax Preparation FAQs
When do I file?
If your due date falls on a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, the due date is delayed until the next business day. Your return is considered filed on time if the envelope is properly addressed, postmarked and deposited in the mail by the due date.
- Calendar Year Filers (most common) file on or before April 15
- Fiscal Year Filers File on day 15 of the 4th month after your fiscal year ends
What if I can’t file by the due date?
If you can’t file by the due date of your return, request an extension of time to file. You must file Form 4868, Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, by the due date of your return. You will receive an automatic 6-month extension to file your return. Note that an extension of time to file is not an extension of time to pay. You may be subject to a late payment penalty on any tax not paid by the original due date of your return.
What if I can’t afford to pay my taxes?
If you believe you may have trouble paying your tax bill, you are encouraged to contact the IRS. View the IRS guide to “What Ifs for Struggling Taxpayers” here.
For help and to understand your rights, contact the IRS Tax Advocate Office here.
I received a financial assistance grant from the Entertainment Community Fund (formerly The Actors Fund). Is this taxable?
No. Financial assistance grants from the Entertainment Community Fund are considered gifts and are not taxable. You will not receive a Form 1099.
What if I was impacted by the California wildfires?
Federal filing and payment deadlines have been extended to October 15, 2025 for taxpayers who reside, or have a business, in the parts of California affected by the wildfires and straight-line winds that began on January 7, 2025. The IRS is identifying and applying relief to affected taxpayers automatically based on location and you do not need to apply. If you have been affected but reside or have a business outside the covered disaster area, you can request relief by calling the IRS disaster hotline at 866.562.5227. Learn more about federal tax relief for those impacted by the CA wildfires here.
The state of California has also extended filing and payment deadlines to October 15, 2025. Individuals and businesses impacted by the wildfires, and whose primary residence or principal place of business is located within Los Angeles County, qualify for this relief. Learn more about state tax relief for those impacted by the CA wildfires here.
What tax credits should I know about as a performing arts professional?
- Earned Income Tax Credit – Check if you qualify for this credit here.
- Qualifying Performing Artist (QPA) Credit – Learn more about the QPA credit here.
Is my Unemployment/EDD income taxable?
Yes. Unemployment/EDD payments must be reported on your federal tax return. These payments may be taxable in certain states (including NY) and exempt from state taxes in others (including CA). You will receive a 1099G form in the mail to include in your tax filing. Federally taxable unemployment payments include:
- Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits including Federal Extensions (FED-ED), Pandemic Additional Compensation (PAC), Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) and Lost Wages Assistance (LWA)
- Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) benefits
- Disability Insurance (DI) benefits received as a substitute for Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits
- Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) benefits
- Paid Family Leave (PFL) benefits