Lee Erwin reporting
lerwin@clarksvillenow.com
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – It’s your money. You’ve earned it, and the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program (VITA) can help you keep it. The VITA program offers free income tax preparation for low to moderate income families with an adjusted gross income of $51,000 or less.
The program is offered through a partnership between the Clarksville-Montgomery County Community Action Agency, the United Way of the Greater Metro Nashville Region and The Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Trained, IRS certified volunteers work with each individual on preparation of their tax return.
VITA also helps working families receive the full amount of their tax refunds and start to create savings by taking advantage of the Earned Income Tax Credit and other tax credits. Last year the IRS said close to $40 million dollars was unclaimed by taxpayers not filing a return or not claiming the tax credit.
Doireann Westbrook, VITA Coordinator, talked about the free tax filing services offered by the program. “What we’re asking is that people bring their ID’s, their Social Security cards, their W2’s and any other tax information. They’ll sign in, we’ll get them seen by a preparer and their taxes will be filed. They’ll be able to leave with their copies the same day,” said Westbrook.
The VITA site is now open at the Clarksville-Montgomery County Public Library, 350 Pageant Lane in Veterans Plaza. The free tax preparation service is going on through April 15, Tuesday-Friday from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Saturday 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.. The site is closed on Sunday and Monday except for Monday, April 14 and on all federal holidays.
To find out more about the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program call the Clarksville-Montgomery County Community Action Agency at 931-896-1812.