Maricopa County Program Offers Free Tax Help
Maricopa County program offers free tax help
by Breann Bierman - email
© CBS 5PHOENIX (CBS5) - Filing your taxes can be time consuming and costly, but certified volunteers are helping those in need get their tax returns without the hassle.
The Maricopa County Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offers free tax preparation services to anyone earning up to $50,000 in 2012, including those with disabilities, senior citizens and limited English speaking abilities.
Taxpayers who earned up to $50,000 in 2012 could qualify for up to $5,800 in the Earned Income Tax Credit as part of the tax preparation, according to the Valley of the Sun United Way. IRS certified volunteers will prepare basic tax returns, which will be filed electronically to expedite the refunds.
There are sites Valleywide, including eight locations in the West Valley, that will be open until April 15. Log on to Valley of the Sun United Way website to find a location near you. Each site has different days and hours.
During the 2011-12 tax season 680 households who had their taxes prepared at one of the eight Valley of the Sun United Way VITA sites located in the West Valley received more than $1 million in tax refunds, according to the Valley of the Sun United Way.
The Maricopa County VITA Network is a partnership between Valley of the Sun United Way, AARP Tax Aide, Catholic Charities, city of Phoenix, city of Chandler, Mesa United Way and Tempe Community Council.
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