Urban League offering free tax help

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Tax time is here, and you’ve probably seen a lot of ads for tax services where you can get your refund upfront, but for a fee.

However, there is a free service for families in Chattanooga, whose household income is less than $54,000.

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) will begin preparing federal and state income tax returns starting on February 1st

This is being provided locally by the Urban League of Greater Chattanooga through a regional program.

They’re encouraging families to come see them, and save a little money.

James McKissic form the Urban League told us the volunteers “get trained every year with the new rules and regulations are taught to them. They are great long into years and we cannot run this program without them. Last year, we did 10,500 returns throughout the region and we hope to see more people access the service this year.”

The Urban League says volunteers are ready to help families because some tax laws have changed

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) is a free community program that serves as a financial boost for low to moderate income individuals and families.

There will be 29 permanent sites and 10 mobile sites throughout the city of Chattanooga and Hamilton County with a limited number of sites in Knoxville, Greenville, Cleveland, Marion, Sequatchie and Roane County.

“For fifteen years, the VITA program continues to benefit our community and local businesses. VITA is a free community program that serves as a financial boost for low to moderate income individuals and families—one more way to empower our community,” said James McKissic, vice president and chief administrative officer of the Urban League of Greater Chattanooga.

“Also, people should know the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC or EIC) is a refundable credit for workers who earn low or moderate income.  Based on earned income and the number of qualifying children, this refundable credit could put extra cash into their pockets.”

“All of the VITA volunteers are professionally trained and certified by the Internal Revenue Service to process tax returns,” said Val Palmer, VITA program coordinator.

Palmer says “with new locations in surrounding cities and counties, we know the number of people we help will continue to increase.”

Individuals and households whose incomes were less than $54,000 last year may qualify for free tax preparation. Taxpayers will need to bring all of their tax documents, including W2s, 1099s’, Social Security Cards for all children, valid photo identification, Affordable Care Act (ACA) Statements: 1095-A, and home mortgage statements.

To assist tax payer, each VITA site will have free information on tax documents, Earned Income Tax Credit (EIC) and IRS updates. Taxpayers who claim EIC or the Additional Child Tax Credit may experience a refund hold. According to the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act, the IRS cannot issue these refunds before mid-February. The IRS expects the earliest EITC/ACTC related refunds to be available in taxpayers bank accounts or debit cards starting February 27, if these taxpayers chose direct deposit and there are no other issues with their tax return. With a government shutdown, tax payers may experience a delay in the processing and distribution of tax returns.

VITA is sponsored by the IRS, City of Chattanooga, SunTrust Foundation, United Way of Greater Chattanooga, UTExtension and Tennessee America Saves. For VITA locations and hours of operation, call the Urban League at 423-756-1762, 311 or 211 or visit www.ulchatt.net.