In the last decade, experts from Indy Free Tax Prep have helped Marion County residents file more than 48,000 tax returns — all for free. This year, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, or VITA, is changing hands.
Purdue Extension is taking over the free tax prep program in Marion County, after the United Way of Central Indiana helped people for 10 tax seasons. Purdue Extension has been serving Davies, Delaware, Howard, Tipton and Shelby counties, but it will add Marion, Boone, Hendricks and Morgan counties for 2026.
The annual kickoff event for the tax assistance program will be 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Jan. 23, at the Purdue Extension Marion County office. Experts will offer free tax assistance, talk about how to save money and connect you to the financial education programs.
The six sites will be open during tax season, generally between February and April. To get free tax help, you’ll have to make an appointment online. Appointments aren’t available yet because of delays from the IRS. You’re eligible for the program if you make $67,000 or less each year, you have a disability or speak limited English.
You can also file your taxes for free online at myfreetaxes.com.
If you have questions, reach out to Ashley Piland at wood246@purdue.edu.
If you go
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance kickoff event
🗓️ 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Jan. 23
📍 Purdue Extension Marion County office at Discovery Hall, 1202 E. 38th St., Suite 201
🎟️ Free
Marion County free tax prep sites
📍AMVETS Post 99
2840 Lafayette Road
317-456-2816
📍John Boner Neighborhood Center
2236 E. 10th St.
317-808-2393
📍Indianapolis Public Library East 38th Street branch
5420 E. 38th St.
317-759-1262
📍Southeast Community Services
901 Shelby St.
317-510-0230
VITA@southeastindy.org
📍Hawthorne Community Center
2440 W. Ohio St.
317-637-4312
📍Oasis Christian Community Development Corporation
1701 E. 25th St.
317-418-8467
What to bring to your appointment
- A photo ID, such as your U.S. driver’s license, a state ID, school ID or passport. Bring the original, not a copy.
- Social Security card
- A document with your Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, or ITIN, called a notice CP-01A
- Proof of foreign status, if applying for an ITIN
- Birth dates for you, your spouse and dependents on the tax return
- Wage and earning statements, such as a W-2 or 1099 from all your employers
- Social Security benefit statements, if applicable
- Interest and dividend statements from banks
- A copy of your federal and state tax returns from last year, if you have them.
- Proof of your bank account’s routing and account numbers for direct deposit, such as a blank check.
- Total paid for day care provider and the day care provider’s tax identifying number, such as their Social security number or business’s employer identification number.
- Health Insurance Exemption Certificate, if received.
- Forms 1095-A, Health Insurance Marketplace statement.
- Copies of income transcripts from IRS and state, if applicable.
- If you’re filing jointly with a spouse, bring your spouse.
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Mirror Indy reporter Sophie Young covers services and resources. Contact her at sophie.young@mirrorindy.org.
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