Lady Liberty and Uncle Sam spinning signs on street corners across Phoenix can only mean one thing; it’s tax-filing season.
And just as certain that tax season will come, Phoenix’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program is in full swing to help Phoenicians file their taxes.
Since 2003, city of Phoenix VITA volunteers have helped families claim more than $100 million in federal tax refunds, including more than $2.3 million in in Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) last year alone.
The IRS has declared the last day of January, EITC Awareness Day to inform people with low-to-moderate income about free help for tax-filing.
The city of Phoenix VITA program has three alternatives for filing taxes for those meeting eligibility requirements.
There are 21 VITA sites across Phoenix where certified IRS tax volunteers prepare and e-file tax returns. This service is available for income eligible residents on a first come first serve basis and capacity is limited; locations and times vary.
“We also have a Do it Yourself Facilitated Self Assistance program that allows people to walk into our 21 sites and use our computers and online tax preparation software to do their taxes, and there are no income limitations on this program,” said Julie Bordelon, Program Coordinator for the city of Phoenix VITA program.
Finally, there is the Myfreetaxes.com webpage that allows people from the comfort of their home to use step-by-step guided software to file both Federal and State tax returns online for free. This program is free for anyone making less than $66,000 a year.
For a list of site locations and hours or for more information on VITA, visit Phoenix.gov/EITC.
