Spring has sprung and winter is on its way out; it’s the beginning of March and while we have many lovely days of sunshine and allergies to look forward to, spring also means that tax season is upon us and that the race to file a tax return before that April 15 deadline becomes all too real. For some families though, tax season is not just about the deadline, but also about finding an affordable and reputable tax return preparation service. Some people get recommendations from friends or family, but the IRS also has a program (for qualifying individuals and families) that can recommend a tax preparation center in your area. According to the IRS.gov website, “The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offers free tax help to people who generally make $52,000 or less, persons with disabilities, the elderly and limited English speaking taxpayers who need assistance in preparing their own tax returns. IRS-certified volunteers provide free basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals.” If you or someone you know would like to learn more about this service, please go to http://www.irs.gov/ for more information.
If you and your family qualify, here are a few (you can find more locations on the IRS website) of the VITA program offices in Ventura County as listed on the IRS.gov website where no appointment necessary: