Free Tax Preparation

Keeping your money in your pocket

Last year, the 1600 tax returns prepared at the VITA sites generated millions of federal tax refunds and hundreds of thousands of dollars in Virginia refunds..

Who can get their taxes done at a VITA site?

Any individuals & families living and/or working in Martinsville and Henry County under a certain federal income level which will  be announced December, 2010. Tax preparation sites will open in January, 2011.

What you need to bring

Filers must bring a Social Security card for each person listed on the tax return. Everyone who is going to sign the tax return must be present and bring a photo identification. Also, filers must bring W-2s, 1099s, Social Security 1099 statements, any other tax papers (including any real estate tax information) and last year's tax return. The tax preparation generally should not take more than 45 minutes, but that depends on the filer's situation.

How do I benefit if I get my taxes done at a VITA site?

People who qualify for the service save money on tax preparation and filing fees, which could run from $100 to $250 for a simple return. Filing is done electronically to expedite the process. Filers who have their refunds deposited electronically will get their money sooner than if a check is mailed. For example, if a tax return is filed electronically by Jan. 21, the refund will be deposited electronically in the filer's account Jan. 29 or mailed Feb. 5.  Another goal of the program is to help people who qualify get the earned income tax credit (EITC), which is a tax benefit for working people who earn low or moderate income. It has several important purposes, including offsetting taxes, supplementing low wages and providing a work incentive. People could qualify to receive as much as a $5,600 credit if: 1) they worked in 2009 and had children living with them and earned less than $40,000 (for the tax return, whether as an individual or married couple filing jointly); or 2) they worked in 2009, did not have children living with them and earned less than about $13,400 (for the tax return).

Who does the tax return preparation?

Tax returns will be prepared by volunteers who, on average, have completed at least 30 hours of training through the IRS. Volunteer tax preparers must pass a basic level Internal Revenue Service test and, since there is a quality review process, reviewers (people who review the preparers work during the tax season) must pass the intermediate level IRS test. There will be at least one reviewer at each of the four sites. Most of the volunteers working at the VITA sites have prepared their own tax returns for years and/or have worked as tax preparers. Anyone interested in volunteering should call the United Way of Henry County and Martinsville at 638-3946. Free training is made available to all volunteers.