Tax prep assistance available for qualifying residents

United Way of East Central Iowa (UWECI) will be offering its Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program for the 12th year in 2026. 

The program is scheduled to run now until Friday, April 10. Appointment scheduling is now open and spots are available on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Those eligible to receive tax help through this program through UWECI must be a resident of Linn, Jones, Benton, Cedar or Iowa county and have an annual household income of $69,000 or less.

This season’s VITA sites are:

• Cornell College, Cole Library -- Library Ln, Mount Vernon.

• Hiawatha Public Library -- 150 W. Willman St., Hiawatha.

• Horizons at the Human Services Campus -- 317 Seventh Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids. GO to the second floor.

• Kirkwood Jones County Regional Center -- 220 Welter Drive, Monticello.

• Ladd Library -- 3750 Williams Boulevard SW, Cedar Rapids.

• Marion Public Library -- 1101 6th Ave., Marion

• Monticello Public Library -- 205 E. Grand St., Monticello.

Appointments are required and must be scheduled online at uweci.org/vitaclient. 

No walk-ins are accepted, and there is no call center for clients to make an appointment. For questions about the VITA program, including site information and new eligibility requirements like bank account information, please visit uweci.org/vitaclient.

“Our VITA program lives out United Way’s belief in community members volunteering in, investing in and advocating for their friends and neighbors,” said UWECI President and CEO Kristin Roberts. “The success of VITA is powered by dedicated volunteers who care deeply about the program and those they serve.”

Last year, more than 80 volunteers contributed over 5,100 hours to help local residents file their taxes at no cost. This effort returned over $2 million to individuals in the area, according to a press release.