TUCSON – Having a baby, buying or selling a home, getting married or divorced — all of these things mean changes in the way you file your taxes, but how are you supposed to keep track and know what to do? At the YWCA, they can help you for free.
The Voluntary Tax Assistance program started in Pima County in 2004. Today, it helps save taxpayers about $2 million in tax prep fees every year. To date these volunteers have prepared almost 31 thousand returns, bringing back more than $50 million in federal funds and credits. Its money that filers could be missing out on due to simple mistakes.
Even trying to fill out what seems like a simple form online can be very intimidating and the way things are worded are not intuitive, says Jude Gilford, VITA volunteer.
As a board member, Gilford started the collaboration with the YWCA last year.
It is so in line with the mission of the y which is to improve peoples lives, women in particular.
The first piece of advice for anyone filing their taxes, get them done early! The deadline this year is April 17.
It will get busier and busier and busier and be really busy in April.
The program is open to men and women who make about $50 thousand dollars or less.
The YWCA is open for tax help on Tuesdays and Thursdays 5:30-8:30 pm and Saturdays from 9 am-2 pm
For other locations and times go to http://www.unitedwaytucson.org/vita
What to Bring to the VITA Site:
bull; Picture ID for taxpayer and spouse (if applicable)
bull; ORIGINAL Social Security card* for EACH family member
bull; Proof of income, including W-2s and 1099 forms
bull; Documentation of deductible expenses
bull; Account and routing numbers of checking and savings accounts for direct deposit of refunds
bull; Prior year tax return (if possible)