The Take Credit Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program, now in its sixth year, has helped thousands Central Oregon residents and their families file their state and federal taxes for free.
Volunteer tax preparers will be on hand to help participants take advantage of much-needed tax credits that many don’t realize they are entitled to.
Two such credits that VITA volunteers can help people with are the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC). Volunteers can help tax filers determine their eligibility and claim the credit if they qualify. “The money from these credits can make a real difference to workers and their families, particularly when they’re still feeling the effects of a recovering economy,” said Pat McGuinness, Programs Manager for United Way of Deschutes County.
Workers earning less than about $47,000 from wages, self-employment or farming in 2012 could qualify for the EITC.
VITA appointments are being made at the numbers listed below for dates ranging from February 2 through April 15:
Bend Downtown Library, Wednesday 10am – 5pm, 541-389-6507, Sat & Sun. 12pm-5pm.
Redmond Lynch Elem, Mon/Wed 4-7pm, 541-389-6507.
Prineville COIC Saturdays 9am – 4pm, 541-447-3260.
Special Super Saturday tax preparation clinics will also take place at the Sisters Library on February 23 and March 9 from 10am to 4pm as well as at the Latino Community Association in Bend on February 21 and 22, and the Becky Johnson Center in Redmond on February 15, also from 10am-4pm. Appointments can be made at these sites by calling 541-389-6507 or if Spanish translation is needed: 541-382-4366.
Volunteer income tax preparation sites operated by AARP TaxAide and appointment numbers are listed below: For information on these sites, please visit the TaxAide locator at www.aarp.org.
Bend Senior Center, Mon – Fri. 9am-4pm, 541-706-6234.
La Pine *PCG, *Pentecostal Church of God, Mon./Thurs. 9am-4pm, 541-536-6237.
Warm Springs *FRC, *Family Resource Center, Thurs. / Fri. 10am-5pm.
“We are also encouraging everyone to get a bank account before they file if they don’t already have one,” said McGuinness. “It only takes seven to 10 working days to have a return directly deposited into a bank account. People should contact local banks or credit unions about a free or low-cost Bank on Central Oregon account. It will only save them time and money.” www.takecredit.org.
For more information contact Pat McGuinness, United Way of Deschutes County, Pat@deschutesunitedway.org, 541-389-6507
