Free tax preparation available through VITA program, United Way

Posted 2/19/19

With the deadline to file 2018 individual income tax returns a short two months away, United Way of Rhode Island is reminding Rhode Islanders they may be eligible to have their federal and state taxes prepared for free. The assistance is provided through

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Free tax preparation available through VITA program, United Way

Posted

With the deadline to file 2018 individual income tax returns a short two months away, United Way of Rhode Island is reminding Rhode Islanders they may be eligible to have their federal and state taxes prepared for free.

The assistance is provided through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, or VITA, program, which has been led locally by UWRI since 2005. With support from Citizens Bank, the initiative is available at 24 program sites across the state, from Bristol to Westerly.

Last year, local VITA volunteers filed nearly 26,000 tax returns, returning more than $20 million to the pockets of working Rhode Islanders in the form of refunds and the Earned Income Tax Credit, or EITC.

In Cranston and Warwick, along with Johnston, three VITA program sites are available to help area residents:

Cranston: Comprehensive Community Action, 311 Doric Ave.

Johnston: Tri-County Community Action Agency, 11 Emanuel St., North Providence

Warwick: West Bay Community Action, 205 Buttonwoods Ave.

Each VITA program site is staffed by IRS-trained and certified volunteers who offer services in both English and Spanish, with returns filed electronically. Sites currently offer services with many to continue through early April. Site hours vary and appointments are needed at some locations. Information on this, along with general questions, can be answered by calling 2-1-1. Program eligibility and a list of documents to bring to an appointment may be found on UWRI’s website.

VITA ensures that working Rhode Islanders who earn $55,000 or less annually and meet eligibility have access to free tax services in order to receive the money they’re due in tax refunds and tax credits. In particular, VITA volunteers are well versed in the important tax credits of the EITC and Child Tax Credit, or CTC, which reduce tax burden and often lead to a larger refund.

Rhode Islanders in need of additional information or services should call 2-1-1 or visit uwri.org.

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