Welcome EBC VITA tax clients. EBC VITA tax services begin Saturday, February 7th, 2026.

IR-2026-02, Jan. 8, 2026

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today announced that the nation’s 2025 tax season will start on Monday, Jan. 26, 2026, and several new tax law provisions of the One, Big, Beautiful Bill become effective, which could impact federal taxes, credits and deductions. IRS.gov features online tools and resources taxpayers can use before, during and after filing their federal tax return. One, Big, Beautiful Provisions provides information that could help lower tax bills and potentially increase refund amounts.

Taxpayers have until Wednesday, April 15, 2026, to file their 2025 tax returns and pay any tax due. Taxpayers requesting an extension will have until Thursday, October 15, 2026, to file. (Source: www.irs.gov)

FILE YOUR TAXES FOR FREE 

February 7 - April 15, 2026 

Elizabeth Baptist Church's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Ministry provides free income tax filing and preparation services for individuals and families with low to moderate household incomes. 

During the tax season, our IRS-certified volunteers are ready to prepare and electronically file your tax returns. Volunteers can assist with general tax information, tax preparation, and filing, all free of charge. 

Tax Season Service options by appointment: 

1. In-Person Tax Service: Taxpayer will bring tax documents to tax site, complete Form 13614-C intake forms, taxes are prepared on-site with client present to review, sign, and e-file the tax return. 
   
   

1. 100% Virtual Tax Service: All tax preparation services are completed electronically. Tax client uploads Form 14446, Form 13614-C intake forms, ID, social security and/or ITIN information, and tax documents. Volunteers prepare and review the return with taxpayer(s). Taxpayer e-signs return during quality review to e-file. Tax clients must complete Form 14446 Virtual VITA/TCE Taxpayer Consent and Form 13614-C Intake Interview forms and electronically submit tax documents. The taxpayer is responsible for printing and retaining a copy of the tax return.

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3. Drop-off Tax Service: Hybrid – Taxpayer will bring tax documents to tax site to scan into folder, complete Form 13614-C intake forms, taxes are prepared without client present. Quality review options: in-person by appointment or virtual to review, sign, and e-file the tax return. 

2026 Tax Season - EBC VITA Hours of Operation Schedule: 

1. Elizabeth Baptist Church VITA

   Free Tax Preparation Service

   4245 Cascade Rd SW, Atlanta, GA 30331

   Phone: (404) 696-2076 or Email: vitatp@elizabethbaptist.org

   Site Operation: Saturdays and Wednesdays by Appointment (2/7 -4/15 NOON)

   Tax Appointment Services: In-person (Saturday), Virtual, & Limited Drop-off, and Walk-in

   Service Dates and Hours

   February 7 – April 15, 2026 – (Saturdays: 2/7 – 4/11(Last Day); Wednesdays: 2/11-4/15)      

   Saturdays (In-Person, Drop-Off, & Virtual): 9:00am - 2:00pm (Noon Cut-off)

   Wednesdays (100% Virtual): 10:00am - 2:00pm (Noon Cut-off)

   Days/Hours subject to volunteer availability

   *Opens February 7th, 2026

   EBC VITA tax site operates by appointment, with limited drop-off and walk-in service available on a first-come, first-served basis due to the day’s client service volume. For an appointment, please call (404) 296-2076 or email vitatp@elizabethbaptist.org. 

2026 Tax Filing Season Helpful Information for Taxpayers  - Get Ready to File

Filing deadline: Wednesday, April 15, 2026, to file 2025 tax returns or request an extension until October 15, 2026 (Taxes owed are due 4/15/2026)

Form 13614-C Intake/Interview and Quality Review Sheet – www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f13614c.pdf

What to Bring for Tax Appointment

IRS VITA Tax Services Provided

Tax Filing Season Helpful Information for Taxpayers 

One Big Beautiful Bill Provisions and Changes

·       One, Big, Beautiful Bill provisions | Internal Revenue Service

·       One, Big, Beautiful Bill provisions | Individuals and Workers

·       Qualified Tip Income – Bring Last Paystub, Employer Documentation

·       Qualified Overtime – Bring Last Paystub and Employer Documentation

Treasury, IRS Guidance Tips or Overtime 2025 tax year | Internal Revenue Service

Executive Order 14247: Modernizing Payments to and from America's Bank Account

·       Started phasing out paper tax refund checks and other disbursements on 9/30/2025.

·       Purpose defends against financial fraud and improper payments, increase efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance the security of federal transactions.

·       U.S. Treasury Department, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, National Credit Union Association, and U.S. Bank are working to establish free or low-cost account or alternative electronic payment methods.

Resources to open an account at a bank or credit union are available at FDIC: GetBanked and MyCreditUnion.gov.

IRS Individual Online Account

Account Information for Individuals: please click here to create or access IRS ID.me

The IRS ID.me account accesses individual account tax data including refunds, balance, payments, tax records and more. 

Tax Tips for Gig Economy Entrepreneurs and Workers

Self-Prepared Taxes - IRS Free File – IRS Self-Guided Software 

IRS Free File lets qualified taxpayers prepare and file federal income tax returns online using guided tax preparation software. It is safe, easy and at no cost to you. Those who do not qualify can still use Free File Fillable Forms. 

Check Your Refund Status, please visit the appropriate tax agency: 

1. IRS website (https://www.irs.gov/) for the federal tax return - Where's My Refund?  

2. GA Dept of Revenue (https://dor.georgia.gov/taxes/individual-taxes) - Check my Refund Status  

Note: The tax return status display can appear up to 72 hours after e-filing. 

If you claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC), you can expect to get your refund if no issues with the return by March 2 if:

• You file your return online

• You choose to get your refund by direct deposit.

Why the Department of Treasury/IRS holds your refund:

By law, we cannot issue EITC or ACTC refunds before mid-February. This includes your entire refund, not just the part that is related to the credit you claimed on your tax return.

If you claim the EITC or ACTC, we may need more information from you about your return. If we do, we will send you a letter.

EBC VITA - Inclement Weather and/or Closure

Please visit VITA - EBC Cares or www.freetaxprepatl.org for weather updates. Thank you!

Important 2026 Tax Deadline Dates to know:

Tuesday, January 13, 2026: Tax season officially begins.

Monday, January 26, 2026: IRS starts processing taxes (official start of tax season)

Monday, February 2, 2026: Deadline for employers to mail W-2 forms to employees and for businesses to send 1099 forms.

Wednesday, April 15, 2026: Filing deadline for 2025 tax returns.

• Individual Income Tax Returns (Form 1040) due
• Final day to contribute to a 2025 IRA (Traditional or Roth).
• Last day to apply for tax extension (Taxes are still due on April 15)
• First-quarter 2026 estimated tax payments due.
• Needing additional time to pay tax bill, the IRS offers payment plan options.

Monday, June 15, 2026: Second-quarter 2026 estimated tax payment due.

Tuesday, September 15, 2026:

• Third-quarter 2026 estimated tax payment due.
• Extended partnership (Form 1065) and S Corp (Form 1120-S) return due.

Thursday, October 15, 2026: File Form 4868 by April 15, 2026, to receive extension.

Friday, January 15, 2027: Fourth-quarter 2026 estimated tax payment due.

Still have questions or need more information?

Contact the EBC CARES Inc., EBC VITA program below: 
Tax Preparation and Tax Site Info 
Email Address: Send Email vitatp@elizabethbaptist.org or Phone: 404.696.2076 
 
We greatly appreciate the trust you have placed in the EBC VITA tax program to continue serving taxpayers one tax return at a time. We look forward to serving you again for the upcoming tax filing season. 
 
Thank you, Bishop Pastor Craig L. Oliver, Sr., past and present dedicated EBC VITA volunteers and leaders for the vision, commitment, and willing hearts of service for the taxpayers and community!  
 
Privacy Policy 
This is the website of Elizabeth Baptist Church VITA Tax Ministry. 
Our postal address is: 
4245 Cascade Rd SW • Atlanta, GA 30331 
Contact EBC VITA: email @ vitatp@elizabethbaptist.org and/or phone @ (404) 696-2076. 
 
Our Commitment to Privacy 
Your privacy is important to us. To better protect your privacy, we provide this notice explaining our online information practices and the choices you can make about the collection of your information. To make this notice easy to find, it is available on our homepage and at every location for requested personally identifiable information. Elizabeth Baptist Church VITA (herein referred to as “EBC VITA”) will never sell, trade, share or rent your personal information to its merchant partners, partner agencies or any other third parties without your prior consent. 
 
Acceptance of Privacy Policy 
By using this website (www.ebccares.org/VITA), you indicate your acceptance of this Privacy Policy. If you disagree with all or any part of our Privacy Policy, please contact our office at the above address immediately to express your concern. We reserve the right to change this privacy policy at any time by posting revisions to it on this URL. Please return and check it regularly to be certain you are aware of the most current provisions. 
If you have any questions concerning this policy, contact our office at the above address.  

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