Tax season - VITA program
The tax season has officially begun! We have prepared for this by discussing relevant documents, building awareness of different tax credits and planning for potential refunds. Now is the time to put it all together.
For some, preparing taxes is not an overwhelming task; for others it is. The IRS sponsors two initiatives that provide tax preparation services to local communities to lighten the burden of cost and accessibility for millions of taxpayers. For over 50 years, the VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) and TCE (Tax Counselling for the Elderly) programs have offered tax preparation services at no cost to qualified taxpayers.
Mission
The VITA and TCE programs offer free tax preparation assistance to those who may not have access to low-cost tax preparation services and aren’t comfortable handling that task themselves.
Qualifications
Taxpayers who generally make $67,000 or less
Taxpayers with disabilities
Taxpayers with limited English-speaking proficiency
Experience
Qualified taxpayers will participate in an in-person intake and interview with an IRS certified volunteer tax preparer to assess eligibility, complete the necessary tax return with quality review, and file the completed tax return with the IRS. If during the intake and interview phase the volunteer tax preparer determines that the required tax return is out of scope for the VITA program, referrals can be provided.
Location
The IRS partners with multiple community organizations to deliver services. Use this IRS VITA/TCE Locator tool to locate a center in your community. Example of information provided.
You will make it thought this! Resources and support are available; use them.
The 50% uncomfortable, 70% incremental, 100% vital principle still apply. What needs to be done to get ready for tax season? Tackle it now. You will be glad you did. If you want to talk about it, drop us a note at letstalk@studiomfinancial.net. Until we meet…keep working on the change.