Free Tax Preparation Available for Low to Moderate Income Taxpayers

The San Bernardino County Transitional Assistance Department (TAD) is offering free tax preparation and e-filing services for qualifying low to moderate income taxpayers through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. Services are available to those who earned less than $52,000 in 2013. Tax returns are filed electronically, for both California and federal taxes. Taxpayers can call to make appointments and there are extended hours and Saturday appointments available. Walk-ins are also welcome. Bilingual tax preparation services are available. Refunds are received in as few as 7 days after acceptance. In addition to locations at TAD offices, there are several VITA Mobile Tax Locations for San Bernardino County residents to visit including Arrowhead Regional Medical Center and the Grand Terrace Library. It is the ninth year that TAD has partnered with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to offer free, accurate, certified tax preparation services through the VITA program. The VITA campaign is focused on increasing awareness of the Earned Income Tax Credit, or EITC, which most VITA qualified taxpayers are eligible to receive. This credit was developed to help assist those who are in financial need as well as to reward employment. Every year, thousands of families miss out on this tax credit; money that could be used to help meet their families’ basic needs. The additional money that taxpayers receive from the EITC has proven to help boost the local economy. In 2013, TAD provided tax preparation services to more than 7,700 taxpayers in our local communities and processed more than $15.2 million in combined federal and state refunds; of this, $7.2 million was a direct result of TAD’s efforts in increasing families’ access to the Earned Income Tax Credit and other refundable credits. “For those who are eligible to receive this free service, it can provide life changing outcomes,” said Nancy Swanson, Director of Transitional Assistance. “The earned income credit can be a much needed financial boost for taxpaying individuals and families in our local community and we are proud to be partnering, once again, with the IRS on the VITA program.”