CAPK VITA — Free Tax Preparation
Last updated August 2026
Don't pay a tax-prep chain. CAPK's VITA program prepares and e-files taxes free for low- and moderate-income families, year-round (not just in filing season), and helps you claim credits like the EITC that put real money back in your pocket.
A visit works like any tax appointment, minus the bill. Walk in at 300 19th Street, hand over your documents, and a trained preparer builds the return while checking for every credit you're owed: the federal EITC, CalEITC, and the Young Child Tax Credit if you have a child under 6. With complete paperwork, most returns get finished and e-filed without a second trip, so the checklist below is worth ten minutes of gathering.
Those credits are the headline. CalEITC alone runs from hundreds to thousands of dollars for workers earning under roughly $32,000, and it pays out even when you owe no tax at all. Skipping filing because money was tight is exactly backwards; filing is how the money comes back.
If taxes are one piece of a bigger money question, two related guides on this site are worth a look: CalEITC + Young Child Tax Credit explains the state credits themselves, and MissingMoney (Unclaimed Property Search) is the free, state-endorsed way to check for old deposits and uncashed checks sitting in your name.
Phone (661) 834-1724
Updated August 2026 Program details can change — confirm with the program directly.
Who qualifies
- Low- and moderate-income individuals and families
- Walk-ins welcome at 300 19th Street, Bakersfield
You may qualify. The program makes the final decision.
How to apply
- 1
Gather the documents below.
- 2
Walk in at 300 19th Street in Bakersfield, no appointment needed.
- 3
Or call (661) 834-1724 first with questions about your situation.
What to have ready
- Photo ID
- Social Security cards or ITIN letters for everyone on the return
- Your income forms: W-2s and 1099s
- Last year's return if you have it (helpful, not required)
- Not sure something matters? Bring it anyway, or call (661) 834-1724 and ask
What the application looks like
Common questions
Do I need an appointment for VITA?
No. Walk-ins are welcome at 300 19th Street in Bakersfield.
Who qualifies for free tax prep?
Low- and moderate-income individuals and families. If you're unsure, call (661) 834-1724 and ask.
Can VITA help outside tax season?
Yes. The service runs year-round, including e-filing.
Which tax credits can VITA help me claim?
The federal EITC, California's CalEITC, and the Young Child Tax Credit for kids under 6. These credits are worth hundreds to thousands of dollars and pay out even if you owe nothing. Claiming them correctly is the whole point of using a trained preparer.
Is my refund slower because the prep was free?
No. VITA e-files, the same fast lane paid preparers use. The fee you skipped bought the same speed.
Why file at all if I earn too little to owe taxes?
Because refundable credits pay out even at low incomes. That's the design of the EITC and CalEITC. Not filing is how that money goes unclaimed, and with VITA the filing itself costs nothing.
Not sure this is the right program for your situation?
See all Bakersfield / Kern County, CA programs →Free · Private · No account needed