Free Tax Preparation

FREE TAX PREPARATION

WITH JUST A START

No cost. No catch. Just trusted help.

Just A Start offers free, IRS-certified tax preparation through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program from February 1 to April 9, 2026.

Our trained volunteers help eligible families and individuals:

  • File accurate tax returns
  • Claim all available tax credits
  • Avoid high-cost or untrustworthy tax services

Service is by APPOINTMENT ONLY. Walk-ins are no longer available. 

Request an appointment

The fastest way to request your appointment is to complete our online request form. If you cannot use the online form, you may call our appointment request line: 617-918-7515. Please note: due to high demand, it may take a few days for us to return your call. Using the online form helps us serve more families.

what we offer

WHAT WE CAN DO

We can assist with most standard individual returns, including:

  • W-2 and 1099 income
  • Self-employment income (as long as expenses are simple)
  • Education credits
  • Child tax credits
  • Rent and property tax deductions

WHAT IS OUT OF SCOPE

We cannot prepare your return if any of the following apply:

  • You need a non-resident or foreign student return – Not sure? See our Frequently Asked Questions.
  • You traded cryptocurrency in 2025
  • You rented out your home or a portion of it
  • You are preparing self-employment returns that involve: home office deductions, net losses, subcontractors or employees, inventory or depreciation

If you’re unsure whether we can prepare your return, please call us:
617-918-7515

who we serve

Eligible taxpayers must live or work in one of the following communities: Cambridge, Somerville, Arlington, Watertown, Belmont, Brookline, or Boston.

We serve individuals and families who meet at least one of these criteria:

  • Have a disability, or
  • Have limited English proficiency, or
  • Have low to moderate income

frequently asked questions

Tax Site Dates of Operation: February 1 – April 9, 2026

430 Rindge Avenue

Cambridge, MA 02140

HOURS:

  • Sundays: 11:00am – 4:00pm
  • Wednesdays: 4:00pm – 8:00pm

MBTA:
Located across the street from the Alewife MBTA Station. Exit the station via the Rindge Avenue exit and cross Alewife Brook Parkway. Please use Rindge Avenue entrance.

 

PARKING:
Parking is available in the parking lot during hours of operation. Please read signs carefully and do NOT park in tow zones. 

55 nORFOLK sTREET

Cambridge, MA 02139

HOURS:

  • Thursdays: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

MBTA:
55 Norfolk St is a short walk from the Central MBTA Red Line station.

 

PARKING:
There is NO dedicated on-site parking. However, there is metered street parking and a municipal lot down the street.

what to expect

There are a number of steps at each point of the tax preparation process. Click below to know what to expect.

Before Your Appointment

1. GATHER ALL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

We must have all required tax forms and documentation in order to complete your return.

If we determine that you are missing any documents, we will give you back all of your paperwork and ask you to return another day with the missing documents. Click the button below to view necessary documents. 

Necessary Documents

We cannot start your tax return if you do not have:  

  • A valid photo ID for you AND your spouse (if you are filing jointly).
  • Original Social Security card, official mail from the SSA showing your social security number, OR your ITIN letter.
  • Health insurance forms.
  • Banking information and/or Direct Express debit Mastercard information.

For more information, please review our Frequently Asked Questions.

2. FILL OUT INTAKE DOCUMENTS

Save time at your appointment by filling out this document ahead of time:

You have a couple of options:

  • Paper: If you have access to a printer, print them out, fill them out and bring them with you to your appointment
  • Online: Fill them out online and when completed, upload them here: http://justastart.org/taxforms

On arrival: Arrive 15 minutes early if you would like to fill these forms out at your appointment

The process is slightly different depending on if you schedule a drop-off or full-service appointment.

Time: Up to 2 hours (Complicated returns may take even longer)

  1. Check-in – our greeter will check you in, confirming that you have all required identification documents (photo ID for you and your spouse, and proof of SSN or ITIN for everyone on the return)
  2. Paperwork – if you didn’t do so ahead of time, you’ll be given intake paperwork to fill out
  3. Interview – once you’ve filled out the paperwork, one of our intake volunteers will walk through it with you, and may ask you follow-up questions to confirm that we have everything we need to prepare your return
  4. Document scan – we’ll scan all of your tax documents and upload them to a secure file-sharing system. This is required for both drop-offs and full-service appointments. Even with full-service appointments, we may need to reference these documents during our e-filing process
  5. Return preparation – a certified volunteer preparer will use your tax documents to prepare your return. They may ask you clarifying questions as they work through this process
  6. Quality review – ALL returns are required to be reviewed by a second certified volunteer preparer to ensure accuracy
  7. Close out – your preparer will share the results of your return with you, and answer any questions you have. Once all your questions are answered, we will print your return and you (and your spouse, if necessary) will sign it. You’ll be given a copy to take home with you, and you’re ALL SET

Initial appointment

Time: Approximately 30-45 minutes 

  1. Check-in – our greeter will check you in, confirming that you have all required identification documents (photo ID for you and your spouse, and proof of SSN or ITIN for everyone on the return)
  2. Paperwork – if you didn’t do so ahead of time, you’ll be given intake paperwork to fill out
  3. Interview – once you’ve filled out the paperwork, one of our intake volunteers will walk through it with you, and may ask you follow-up questions to confirm that we have everything we need to prepare your return
  4. Document scan – we’ll scan all of your tax documents and upload them to a secure file-sharing system. This is required for both drop-offs and full-service appointments. Even with full-service appointments, we may need to reference these documents during our e-filing process
  5. Remote Return Preparation – You are free to leave and your return will be assigned to a certified volunteer preparer and quality reviewer who will prepare your return over the next few days

Follow-up appointment

Time: Approximately 30 minutes

  1. Pick-Up & Close Out – We’ll contact you when the return is ready, and you’ll come back another day to sign your return

1. FINAL REVIEW

Although most issues are caught by our quality reviewers, we perform one final check on your return before we file. If we find an issue, we may reach out to you with questions.

2. E-FILING

We will e-file your return within 48 hours, and it is typically either accepted or rejected within 12 hours. We will only contact you if there is an issue with e-filing your return.

frequently asked questions

As per VITA and IRS regulations, we cannot prepare tax returns without proper identification (valid photo ID and an original social security card for everyone on the return)

You can apply for a replacement card here: https://www.ssa.gov/number-card/replace-card

You can get assistance from Greater Boston Legal Services Center or the Cambridge and Somerville Legal Services Center. They can help you apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).

For more information for filing as an immigrant, check out www.findyourfinds.org

If you are filing a resident tax return, we can prepare it for you. Beginning this year, we are unable to prepare non-resident returns. If you are not sure which type of return you need to file, contact us: [email protected], 781-918-7525

For non-resident returns, please reach out to your institution’s student services center. They may have free tax preparation services or software specifically designed specifically for foreign students.

On September 30, 2025, the government phased out paper refund checks. 

Just A Start has partnered with BankOn Boston who assist people to find safe, reliable, affordable banking products that will work for your situation. 

Before scheduling a tax preparation appointment, please call 617-918-7525 for more information on how to open a bank account.

If you choose not to use direct deposit into a bank account, you can opt to choose a Direct Express® Debit Mastercard®. You will need to have your prepaid card before you file your taxes.

Yes, until February 28, 2026, we can prepare up to two prior-year returns (2022-2024) per household.

Starting March 1, 2026, we’ll only prepare current-year returns (2025).

Our goal with same-day full-service is to complete your tax return before you leave. If you are missing any forms, we may need to reschedule your appointment for another time.

Some will be drop-off appointments — you’ll meet briefly with a volunteer to review your documents, and return later to sign your completed return.

You’ll know which type of appointment you have when we confirm it.

If you have additional questions please email [email protected] or leave a message at 617-918-7525.

volunteer opportunities

ALL ROLES ARE CURRENTLY FILLED.
Please check back later for additional openings. 

REQUIREMENTS

All volunteers must meet the following requirements:

  • Age 18 or over
  • Attend an in-person or online training session. In-person sessions are offered on various weekends throughout December and January (approximately 16 hour time commitment)
  • Pass all required certification tests (1-4 hours, depending on role)
  • Commit to regularly volunteer at least 3 hours per week from February through mid-April 2026
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