The IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Grant Program means there are “People Helping People” file their 2014 income tax returns for households with incomes of $55,000 or less.
This marks the ninth consecutive year the City of Cleveland, Kmart, Lee University and Bradley Baptist Association have joined with the Internal Revenue Service to provide the free tax preparation service.
IRS Certified VITA Volunteers at South Cleveland Community Center, 1334 Church St. N.E. will file tax returns free of charge. The service will be available 10 a.m.-2 p.m. every Saturday and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. each Tuesday and Thursday from Jan. 31 through April 15. Walk-ins are welcome or call South Cleveland Community Center at 423-559-3322 for an appointment.
Please call Kmart, Lee University and Bradley Baptist Association for dates and times.
Taxpayers must bring W2, 1099-misc and 1099-R or other forms showing income earned in 2014. If possible, provide a copy of the 2013 return.
Social Security cards for the heads of households and dependents, and a driver’s license or photo ID for taxpayers are required before volunteers can prepare tax returns.
VITA volunteers cannot prepare complicated returns or business returns. Self-employment is acceptable if business expenses are no more than $10,000, with no carryover losses or inventory.
The heart of the program is that volunteer tax preparers receive 100 hours of classroom training and earn IRS certification. The volunteers save local taxpayers thousands of dollars each year by filing more than 1,200 returns in 2014 at no cost.