Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)
CSET offers free income tax preparation services to Tulare County residents with a household income under $69,000. Services are available at our offices in Visalia, Tulare, Porterville, and Orosi throughout tax season.
Free Tax Preparation Begins February
CSET provides free tax preparation for individuals and families with household incomes under $69,000. You may also qualify for the Federal and State Earned Income Tax Credit. Taxes can be completed in person at one of our sites, by dropping off your documents for preparation, or from the convenience of your home.
Each year, CSET helps thousands of residents file their income tax returns for free through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. VITA is available to low- and moderate-income individuals and families with household incomes under $69,000. Federal and state tax returns are prepared by IRS-certified volunteer tax preparers who generously donate their time to support this impactful community program. The VITA program is made possible through a strong partnership between the IRS and CSET.
There are three easy ways to get your taxes done: visit one of our in-person sites throughout the county, drop off your documents and receive a call when your taxes are complete, or prepare your taxes at your own pace using www.myfreetaxes.org.
For questions, please call (559) 741-4640.
File from home
Starting in January 2026, you can easily file your return online. Click on the myfreetaxes.org button below to file. It's easy, safe, secure and 100% Free!
Kings County residents can contact KCAO’s VITA at (559) 904-8854 to file their taxes for free.
Kern County residents can contact CAPK’s VITA by dialing 2-1-1 to file their taxes for free.
2026 Community Impact
Become a VITA volunteer
It’s not too late to become a VITA volunteer! Your support will help inform Tulare County families about eligible cash-back tax credits, including the state and federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). Whether you're a retired financial professional or an individual exploring a career in the finance industry, your participation as a volunteer would be highly valuable.
It’s your money, get it!
In 2015, Governor Jerry Brown and the state legislature created the first-ever California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC). California joined 24 other states and the District of Columbia in adopting a state EITC to supplement the federal EITC.
In 2020, Governor Gavin Newsom expanded CalEITC and added the new Young Child Tax Credit (YCTC) to further assist families facing poverty. Taxpayers who file their tax returns with an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) including undocumented immigrants, are eligible for the CalEITC and the Young Child Tax Credit (YCTC) when filing their taxes.
