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Free Tax Preparation Assistance

The 2009 Federal income tax season is here! Since 2004, United Way of Palm Beach County and its partners are providing free income tax preparation services through its Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA). There are more than 20 VITA sites located throughout the county.

The free tax-preparation service is available to those who earn $42,000 or less a year. Last year, 11,400 Palm Beach County residents used VITA to file their taxes, and received more than $14 million in refunds, including $5.8 million in Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). In addition, the VITA program saved Palm Beach County residents more than $1 million in fees that would have gone to tax-preparation companies.

VITA sites are staffed by volunteers who have been certified by the IRS. Some VITA sites offer weeknight and weekend hours. Tax returns are e-filed so people can have their refund checks within 10-14 days.

The VITA sites will be open during the filing season January 20 - April 15, 2009. To find a VITA site, residents need to call 2-1-1, the county’s information and referral line. United Way of Palm Beach County also has an updated list of VITA sites on its website at www.unitedwaypbc.org under.