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Area families making $96,000 or less a year may be able to get free help preparing tax returns this season.
There’s a program from United Way Suncoast and the IRS making this possible.
The program is United Way Suncoast’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance – or VITA.
Taxpayers can visit various locations in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Manatee, Sarasota, and DeSoto counties to have their federal tax return prepared, e-filed, and direct-deposited without charge.
Dr. Nichole Peña-Miller is the senior director of financial security at United Way Suncoast.
“If the IRS were to go out to the community and set up shop and say ‘we’re here to do your taxes’, nobody would come. And so instead, the IRS partners with local trusted organizations, like United Way Suncoast, to utilize volunteers and provide the support in the community.” Peña-Miller said.
She says the program is celebrating its 21st anniversary of helping people, including a man she says worked 2 jobs and files his taxes this way every year.
“He leaves us a handwritten note every year, thanking us for the program. Because for him, it’s a weight lifted off his shoulders that his taxes are done correctly.” Peña-Miller said.
They’ve been doing the program for 21 years, and last year, they prepared almost ten thousand tax returns for families across the region.
Late next month, United Way Suncoast will host a “tax-a-thon” at Enoch Davis Center, offering nine continuous hours of tax preparation.