Volunteer Income Tax Assistance sites open until April 15
- Program offers free tax preparation for eligible families and individuals -

The April 15 tax season filing deadline is fast approaching and the City’s Department of Community Initiatives (DCI) and its partners in the San Antonio Coalition for Family Economic Progress (SACFEP) want to encourage eligible taxpayers who have not filed their 2007 income tax return to take advantage of the services offered through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.

Taxpayers earning up to $45,000 a year can have their tax returns prepared free of charge at a VITA site. VITA offers electronic filing to provide faster refunds and save individuals an average of $200 in tax preparation fees.

Since the start of this year’s VITA program in January, the Coalition has completed more than 30,000 tax returns free of charge for local residents resulting in more than $54 million in tax refunds returned to San Antonio taxpayers with an average refund of $1,801 for these working families.

Taxpayers who are eligible for VITA may also qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC). The EITC is a refundable credit available to many low to moderate income working individuals and families. Taxpayers who qualify for EITC can receive a maximum tax credit up to $4,500.

Eligible tax payers eligible for an Economic Stimulus Payment starting in May will only receive a tax rebate if they file a 2007 tax return. The SACFEP urges low wage earners and those receiving Social Security and Veteran’s benefits to file a return at their nearest VITA site. This group normally is not required to file. Individuals who have already filed a tax return for 2007 are not required to file another return to claim the Economic Stimulus Payment.

When visiting a VITA site, taxpayers should bring the following items:

- Driver’s license or photo ID
- Social security cards or Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers for all family members; those who are filing jointly must bring their spouse
- All income documentation (W-2, 1099 forms)
- Checking and/or savings account numbers (up to three accounts) for deposit of their refund directly to their account

For information on VITA or to locate a site, call 227-4357 or 2-1-1. For more information on other services provided by DCI, call 207-8198 or visit www.sanantonio.gov/comminit.