Free Tax Services
WEII has offered free income tax preparation services through its Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program since 2005. VITA is a program administered by the Internal Revenue Service that helps low- and moderate-income taxpayers file tax returns free of charge. WEII offers free income tax preparation services from late January through early November.
To schedule an appointment, call 800-752-6579 or CLICK HERE TO BOOK ONLINE
In-Person and Virtual Tax Preparation
During the 2024 tax filing season, WEII will operate three in-person tax assistance sites:
- Shooting Star Casino in Mahnomen – open January 29 to March 27
- Boys & Girls Club of Detroit Lakes – open March 12 to April 11
- Graystone Hotel – open April 12 to October 15
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- Call 218-844-7029 to schedule an appointment
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In addition, WEII will offer virtual tax preparation services during the 2024 tax filing season. Virtual services include drop-off services and services delivered via DocuSign and videoconference. Taxpayers wishing to use WEII virtual tax services should call 218-844-7029 for more information.
Refer to the Eligibility and Tax Preparation Checklist on this page to ensure adequate preparation for the appointment.
Free Self-Preparation Option Available
WEII offers free self-preparation options for taxpayers who would prefer to prepare their own tax returns or who have situations that are out of scope for our tax sites. For more information, visit our Free Self-Preparation Service page.
Support for WEII VITA Program
The White Earth Tax Site is a service of White Earth Investment Initiative, with support from the Internal Revenue Service; Minnesota Department of Revenue; Oklahoma Native Assets Coalition; Wells Fargo Foundation; Oweesta Corporation; Shooting Star Casino, Hotel and Event Center; Boys & Girls Club of Detroit Lakes; Midwest Minnesota Community Development Corporation; and others.
To take advantage of White Earth Investment Initiative’s free tax-preparation services, residents must meet the following income guidelines:
- $64,000 or less annual adjusted gross income
Unfortunately, we can’t prepare the following returns:
- Military income
- Hurricane survivors
- Mortgage foreclosures
- Rental income
- Moving expenses
- Farm income or loss
- Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) payments
- Complex capital gains
- Virtual currency transactions
- Hobby income
- Businesses with employees, inventory, depreciation, businesses with more than $35,000 in expenses
For taxpayers who have situations that would be out of scope for our tax sites, WEII has a free self-preparation option available. Click HERE for more information.
Helpful Links
- Free self-preparation option
- Where’s my Minnesota refund? You can also call 1-800-652-9094 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
- Where’s my Federal refund?
- Internal Revenue Service
- Minnesota Department of Revenue
Here’s a list of items that you should bring to your appointment:
Valid picture I.D. for all taxpayers listed on the return (required; copies are acceptable)
Social Security cards or ITIN cards for all persons listed on the tax return (required; copies are acceptable)
Prior year’s tax returns (suggested but not required)
Written verification of bank routing and accounting numbers for direct deposit (voided check, bank statement or other document from your bank showing your bank routing and account number)
Income statements or forms:
- Wages from each job (W-2)
- Interest (Form 1099-INT)
- Dividends (Form 1099-DIV)
- Retirement plans (Form 1099-R)
- Gambling winnings (Form W-2G)
- Unemployment (Form 1099-G)
- Social Security benefits (Form SSA)
- Year-end income statements from MFIP, SSI, MSA, GA, veterans’ benefits and workers compensation
Expenses:
- Education expenses* you paid for your children in grades K-12 (e.g., tutoring, rental/purchase of instruments, music lessons, pens, pencils, etc.)
- Tuition expenses you paid to attend a university or technical college (Form 1098-T)
- Interest you paid on student loans (Form 1098-E)
- Day-care expenses you paid for your children; bring provider’s name, address, tax ID or Social Security number
- Charitable donations of cash or non-cash
- Homeowners: Mortgage interest and real estate taxes paid in 2022 (Form 1098) and statement of property tax payable in 2023 mailed by the county in March
- Renters: Certificate of Rent Paid (CRP) from your landlord
Health Insurance Forms:
- Form 1095-A if you or your dependents received health insurance through the national or state health insurance marketplace.
*You may be eligible to claim the K-12 education subtraction and/or education credit. Learn more.
White Earth Investment Initiative wants you to be its next tax volunteer.
Why You Should Volunteer
- To increase your own understanding of tax law
- To provide a free service to low- and moderate-income taxpayers
- To serve your community
- To meet new people
Volunteer Requirements
- Participate in in-person, virtual, and/or self-study sessions about tax law
- Pass the IRS volunteer exam
Volunteers are reimbursed for their travel miles.
Here’s what a few tax volunteers have to say about the free tax services from White Earth Investment Initiative: “We’re always looking for more volunteers. Taxes are fun!” – Dorothy, volunteer “It is enjoyable spending time with other volunteers, getting to know new people and knowing how much people appreciate the service.” – Amber, volunteer “You don’t have to be a tax expert.” – John, volunteer