Low and moderate income families are eligible for free tax preparation services in February, thanks to a volunteer service coordinated by Greene County Extension.
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)pProgram is available at the Greene County Extension office. This service provides free tax preparation by trained volunteers through the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA).
Beginning Monday, Jan. 14, residents of Greene County can call the Extension office to request an appointment. There are limited time slots available on Mondays beginning Feb. 11 and running through Feb. 25 from 9 am to 3 pm. Persons must call Greene County Extension at 515-386-2138 to reserve a time slot. When clients call to register for the service, a packet with confirmation of their scheduled appointment and a list of documentation needed will need to be picked up at the Greene County Extension Office.
The program is open to Iowa residents with adjusted gross income below $54,000. IRS-trained and certified local volunteers provide tax preparation services, with most returns filed electronically free of charge. To speed up the refund process, participants are encouraged to have a savings or checking account, although it is not required. Taxpayers may also have the refund deposited into more than one account.
Only basic federal and state returns are processed through the program. Volunteers are not able to prepare any schedules or additional forms related to business profit and loss, capital gains/losses, farm or rental income, employee business expenses, or moving expenses. A professional tax preparer should be consulted for these services.
The average tax return costs the taxpayer $200 in preparation fees. When clients take advantage of the VITA program that money returns to the local economy through refunds and tax credits.
