The Urban League of Greater Chattanooga along with the IRS will offer free tax preparation services through its Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program to qualified taxpayers.
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) is a free community program that serves as a financial boost for low to moderate income individuals and families.
This year, VITA has fourteen tax preparation sites conveniently located throughout the City of Chattanooga and Hamilton County area. Each site will prepare and electronically file personal taxes for individuals and/or families that earned up to $51,000 last year at no cost. The Eastgate tax preparation site is one of the first to open on Wednesday, January 22 to the public.
“We offer this free service so that taxpayers will receive all of their refund and avoid exorbitant fees associated with paid preparers and rapid refund facilities,” said Warren E. Logan, Jr., President and CEO. “For the last six years VITA has helped thousands of teachers, police officers, city workers, managers, restaurant workers, small business owners and so many others with their personal taxes—VITA is just another way to help working Americans save money.”
Taxes are electronically filed and deposited directly into the taxpayer’s bank account. Certified IRS volunteers also assist individuals with claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), worth up to $6,044 for 2013, at the time of filing.
To find the nearest VITA site, hours of operation or schedule an appointment call the City’s 311, United Way’s 211 or the Urban League at 756-1762.