The Internal Revenue Service’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) offers free tax help to those who cannot afford professional assistance, according to Debra Pankow, North Dakota State University Extension Service family economics specialist.

“Volunteers also help prepare basic tax returns for taxpayers with special needs, such as people with disabilities, non-English speaking people and elderly taxpayers,” Pankow says. “Volunteers also provide assistance and return preparation for prior year federal income tax returns, as well as the earned income and advanced earned income tax credit.”

In addition to trained VITA volunteers, the AARP also has trained volunteers who are at community and neighborhood centers, libraries, schools, shopping malls and other convenient locations. In North Dakota, there are 48 sites available.

A study by the Brookings Institution and Progressive Policy Institute estimates that $1.75 billion a year in EIC benefits are taken from workers’ families for tax preparation fees and high-interest refund anticipation loans because many workers are unaware of alternative, free tax help within their communities.

VITA reduces tax-filing errors, protecting workers from IRS penalties. In addition, VITA sites can be equipped to file tax returns electronically, which reduces the time it takes to receive refunds.

For more information about a VITA site in your community, contact the IRS at (800) 829-1040.

NDSU Agriculture Communication