Press release from UNC Asheville:
Moderate income individuals and families can once again have their income tax returns prepared for free by UNC Asheville volunteers as part of the IRS VITA (Voluntary Income Tax Assistance) program. UNC Asheville’s VITA service, now in its sixth year, will be available from 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturdays, Feb. 6-April 2 (except for March 12 and 26), at the Pack Memorial Library on Haywood Street in downtown Asheville.
Preparation of both federal and state returns is offered; those seeking preparation assistance should bring ID, W-2 forms and other relevant documents. For those wishing to e-file Married Filing Joint tax returns, both spouses must be present to sign the required forms.
The IRS VITA program offers free income tax preparation for people with incomes under $54,000, the elderly, and people with disabilities or limited proficiency in English. VITA volunteers are trained in tax laws and procedures, and confidentiality. “Everyone who works at a VITA site must pass the Volunteer Standards of Conduct exam, whether they are greeting taxpayers, preparing returns or packaging them,” says Monique Taylor, UNC Asheville’s director of internal audit, who once again is directing the university’s VITA program.
UNC Asheville’s VITA team has prepared thousands of federal and state income tax returns since Taylor initiated the effort five years ago. Participation in the VITA program comes as part of an annual service-learning course taught by Joe Sulock, UNC Asheville professor of economics. To ensure accuracy, all tax returns are reviewed by specially trained student workers employed as assistant site managers.
Taxpayers with incomes under $62,000 or less also can prepare and file their returns themselves online at myfreetaxes.com.
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