![\"\"](\"http:\/\/thelehighacresgazette.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/VITA-Logo-2013-300x154.jpg\" "\\"VITA"){kind=logo}
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Special to the Lehigh Acres Gazette<\/p>\n
In order to help local residents keep more of their hard earned money, United Way of Lee, Hendry, Glades, and Okeechobee provides free tax filing services. The free VITA service (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) is available at 13 sites in Lee, Hendry, and Charlotte Counties to individuals and families making less than $60,000 per year.<\/p>\n
United Way\u2019s Free Tax Preparation program helps low- to moderate-income households meet their basic needs and build financial assets. Residents who earn a household income of $60,000 or less can have their federal tax returns prepared, e- filed and direct deposited for FREE by United Way\u2019s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. United Way IRS-certified volunteers who are passionate about taxes will prepare the return and determine if the tax payer is eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and\/or Childcare Credits.<\/p>\n
Last year, 3,500 individuals and families were able to utilize the earned income tax credit and other available credits through FREE tax preparation resulting in $4.6 million coming back to our five-county region and saving an average of $200 per family in tax preparation fees.\u00a0More than 120 volunteers will be staffing the sites this year. Tax preparers have been trained and certified by the IRS. They are trained to determine if the taxpayer qualifies for tax breaks designed to assist lower to middle income persons. Returns are filed electronically, making tax refunds available as quickly as from commercial tax preparing companies.<\/p>\n
United Way VITA services will be available beginning\u00a0January 24\u00a0and continue through the tax filing deadline of\u00a0April 18. A few VITA sites are open year round. Locate the most convenient VITA site, schedule an appointment and allow an IRS-certified volunteer to prepare and e-file your tax return for FREE! Go to the following link to schedule an appointment:\u00a0\u00a0https:\/\/booknow.appointment-plus.com\/7z18p1x6\/<\/a>\u00a0or simply call United Way 211 by dialing 2-1-1 or\u00a0239.433.3900<\/a>.<\/p>\n If the tax payer has access to a computer and would like to file their own taxes free of charge. United Way can help with that too! Logon to\u00a0www.MyFreeTaxes.com<\/a>. It\u2019s simple, fast, and secure while offering online assistance with the process.<\/p>\n