Programs offer free tax help for taxpayers who qualify
The IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) Programs offer free tax help for taxpayers who qualify.
Individuals and families that earned less than $49,078 in 2011 may be eligible to receive a tax credit of up to $5,751 this year! The Earned Income Tax Credit, or EITC, provides tax credits to working adults and families with low or moderate incomes. People may be eligible for this tax credit even if they receive government benefits like Social Security or unemployment benefits, or other income like child support or alimony, since these are not considered to be earned income. About 1 in 4 people who are eligible for the EITC fail to claim it every year, leaving nearly $13 billion dollars unclaimed! Become a EITC Ambassador. Share EITC information with your family, friends, clients, and staff. Let them know too that free tax preparation assistance is available that will help them claim what they are eligible for. In tough economic times, it makes no sense to leave money behind.
The IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) Programs offer free tax help for taxpayers who qualify.
The VITA Program generally offers free tax help to people who make $50,000 or less and need assistance in preparing their own tax returns. IRS-certified volunteers provide free basic income tax return preparation to qualified individuals in local communities. They can inform taxpayers about special tax credits for which they may qualify such as Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, and Credit for the Elderly or the Disabled.
VITA sites are generally located at community and neighborhood centers, libraries, schools, shopping malls, and other convenient locations. Most locations also offer free electronic filing.
Call Mass211 (dial 211 or 877-211-6277) to find a VITA site
