FREE TAX PREPARATION PROGRAM AVAILABLE
The IRS understands that many low-income or senior citizen taxpayers cannot afford to pay a tax preparer, so it created the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs. Under these programs, low to moderate-income and senior citizen taxpayers may obtain free tax assistance and e-filing.
To offer these programs in our local community, the Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) & the IRS have partnered to cover much of northeast Alabama. RSVP recruits volunteers and locations and conducts training to provide this service, while the IRS provides the training material and software. Generally, volunteers can prepare straightforward individual tax returns and state returns, and they also electronically file returns. E-filing is the quickest & safest way to file your return.
Traci Pondick, RSVP Director, stated, “RSVP and the IRS have partnered to offer these programs since 1990 in Etowah and Cherokee County, and we have grown to include DeKalb County. All of our volunteers are trained and certified before beginning tax preparation. Our volunteers include retired professionals and administrative workers who are all passionate about helping people.”
This year, RSVP has 11 locations across Etowah, Cherokee, and DeKalb County. The two DeKalb County locations allow appointments, while all other locations only take walk-ins on a first-come, first-served basis.
Some local partners of this VITA/TCE program have found that this is an opportunity to promote other financial stability services, such as home-buying assistance, GED programs, and emergency food or shelter programs. This program ensures that people keep more of their tax return for themselves, since it is a FREE service; clients don’t pay return preparation fees or refund anticipation loan fees.
Taxpayers need to bring the following information with them:
- Photo ID (driver’s license or non-driver ID)
- Social security cards for anyone listed on the return
- Birth dates for everyone reported on the return
- Copy of last year’s tax returns
- All information about income (W-2’s, 1099s, information on cash income received)
- Amounts paid for day care AND the day care’s identifying number
- Check or checkbook, or some type of printout from your bank with routing number & account number (if choosing direct deposit or direct withdrawal)
Call RSVP at 256-549-8147 with any questions!
This year’s service begins Monday, January 26th, and the schedule is:
- Etowah County Courthouse, Room 221, 800 Forrest Avenue, Gadsden
Monday – Friday, 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- Hokes Bluff Library, 3310 Alford Bend Road, Hokes Bluff
Mondays only, 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
- Jane Phillips Community Center, 115 Case Ave., Attalla
Tuesdays only, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
- Centre Administration Building, 260 Cedar Bluff Rd., Centre
Tuesdays only, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
- Rainbow City Community Center, 3702 Rainbow Dr., Rainbow City
Wednesdays & Thursdays only, 11:30 PM – 3:30 PM
- George Wallace Senior Center, 407 Hollingsworth Park Lane, Glencoe
Thursdays only, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
- East Gadsden Community Center, 921 Wilson Street, Gadsden
Saturday February 7th, March 7th, and April 4th
9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
- Sardis City Library, 1310 Church Street, Sardis City
Wednesday February 18th, March 4th & 18th, April 1st & 15th
12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
- Walnut Grove Senior Center, 5151 Walnut Grove Road, Walnut Grove
Wednesday February 11th & 25th, March 11th & 25th, April 8th
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
- Payne Council on Aging, 600 Tyler Ave. SE, Ft. Payne
Thursdays only, 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM, call 256-845-8590 for appointment
- Moon Lake Library, 4607 AL Hwy. 117, Mentone
Saturdays only, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM, call 256-634-2127 for appointment
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RSVP is a federal program charged with leading efforts to expand the use of service and volunteering as key solutions that respond to our nation’s most pressing challenges. Our mission is to improve lives, strengthen communities, and foster civic engagement through service and volunteering. RSVP is sponsored locally by the Etowah County Commission and federally by AmeriCorps.