The Voluntary Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program provides FREE income tax preparation services to households with annual incomes below $50,000. The VITA Program allows taxpayers to electronically file (e-file) tax returns, and receive their refund within 5 to 10 business days.
Many working families will see much larger tax refunds this year due to increased dollar amounts and expanded eligibility for many tax credits, including the Earned Income Credit, Child Tax Credits, and Higher Education Credits. There are also several new credits available, including the Make Work Pay, Home Energy Efficiency, and First-time Homebuyer Credits. Tax time will provide some much needed financial relief to many struggling families.
The free program will begin February 4 and operate through April 15, 2010 at VITA sites in Visalia, Tulare, Porterville, and Orosi. Last year, CSET and local volunteers provided assistance to 700 low-income taxpayers and brought back over $820,000 to the local economy through the VITA Program.
