Free income tax assistance available for eligible taxpayers

If you need assistance preparing your taxes, the City has just what you need. Local residents can take advantage of free tax preparation through the City's Volunteer Income Tax (VITA) Program.

Individuals and families earning up to $45,000 are eligible for the service. All returns are filed electronically and taxpayers can expect to receive their refund within seven to 10 days. Those eligible to participate in the VITA Program may also qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, and other additional tax credits.

Taxpayers that need to receive their refund quicker than the designated time period may apply for a Refund Anticipation Loan (RAL). The loan, which has a zero percent interest rate, is a special offer from City Employees Federal Credit Union and is available at 13 of the 31 VITA sites.

With little over a month left in this tax season there is still plenty of time to receive assistance. VITA sites will operate through April 15 and will maintain day and evening hours, plus weekends at most locations. When visiting a VITA site, taxpayers should bring the following items:

• Valid driver’s license or photo I.D.

• All W-2 forms; 1099 forms, if applicable

• Social Security cards or Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers for all family members; those who are filing jointly must bring their spouse

• Checking and/or savings account numbers (up to three accounts) for deposit of their refund directly to their account

For more information on the VITA Program or to locate a site near you, call 2-1-1 or 227-4357.
 

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