Low and moderate income families are eligible for free tax preparation services this month, thanks to a volunteer service being coordinated by Greene County Extension. Appointments are being scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 15, at the Greene County Extension office in Jefferson. The service is part of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.
The program is open to Iowa residents with adjusted gross income below $57,000. Tax preparation services will be provided by IRS-trained and certified local volunteers, and most returns will be electronically filed, also 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 refund deposited into more than one account. Refunds can be used to directly Series I U.S. savings bonds.
“I encourage any qualifying taxpayers in Greene County to take full advantage of this service,” said Michael Cooley, county Extension coordinator for Greene County Extension. “Our volunteers are trained in the latest code updates and can help you get tax credits, like the Earned Income Tax Credit.”
Only basic federal and state returns can be processed through the program. Volunteers are not able to prepare any schedules or additional forms related to business profit and loss, unless the taxpayer qualifies for a Schedule C-EZ or C with business expenses under $10,000. Other forms that cannot be prepared by volunteers include capital gains/losses, farm or rental income, employee business expenses, or moving expenses. A professional tax preparer should be consulted for these services.
The services are free of charge, but persons must call to reserve a time slot. If the Feb. 15 date does not work, other days are available to schedule in Carroll and Guthrie Center. The Guthrie County Extension office is handling reservations for all three sites. To register for the VITA program, contact the Guthrie County ISU Extension and Outreach office at 641-747-2276. Persons may also contact Cooley at the Greene County Extension office with any questions by calling 515-386-2138, or email mcooley@iastate.edu.
For more information about families and human sciences programming in Greene County, visit www.extension.iastate.edu/
