Still need to file taxes? File for FREEwith VITA through April 18!

With only two weeks left in this year's federal income tax filing season, the City of San Antonio and the Alamo City Coalition for Economic Self-Sufficiency (ACCESS) strongly encourage any taxpayers earning less than $55,000 who still need to file their tax returns by the Internal Revenue Service's April 18 deadline to visit one of several Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites conveniently located throughout the city.

"The City and our coalition partners believe passionately in the value of free tax preparation as a necessary community resource for supporting asset-building and improving economic self-sufficiency in San Antonio," Department of Community Initiatives Director Gloria Hurtado said. "Even for families and residents who expect to owe taxes, VITA saves them the added financial burden of hefty tax preparation fees while preserving the high quality of service, which continues to rate San Antonio's program as one of the most successful VITA programs in the country."

Taxpayers who file at select VITA sites also have the exclusive opportunity to enroll in SaveUSA - a special match-savings program co-sponsored by the United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County, Antioch Community Transformation Network (ACTN), Guadalupe Community Center, YWCA and The Neighborhood Place. Families earning less than $50,000 and individuals earning less than $25,000 can open a SaveUSA San Antonio Account when filing their return at a select VITA site and deposit at least $200 of their tax refund; participants can earn a 50 percent savings match if they maintain or increase their initial deposit for one year.

All returns prepared at VITA sites are filed electronically. Tax refunds can be electronically deposited into bank accounts in as little as 10 to 14 working days. All returns are prepared by trained, IRS-certified volunteers.

To find a nearby VITA/SaveUSA site, taxpayers can call 2-1-1 or visit VITA's website online at www.vitasa.org. The website offers a list of all sites operating through April 18 as well as business/evening hours for each.