Submitted
CIRCLEVILLE – During these tough economic times, every penny counts, and Pickaway County Community Action’s (PICCA) Free Tax Clinic volunteers are making a difference. The Tax Clinic volunteers have been putting thousands of dollars back into the budgets of the low to moderate income individuals and families of Pickaway County since 2008.
Many people struggle with preparing taxes and low-income people really cannot afford to pay for tax preparation to get the refund their entitled to. PICCA wants everyone to know there is an alternative. Qualified, low to moderate income families and individuals of Pickaway County do not have to spend money to get their tax refunds. Free income tax return preparation and e-file help is available.
PICCA, in partnership with United Way of Pickaway County, Ohio Benefit Bank (OBB), United Way of Central Ohio and the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program, help qualified low to moderate income individuals, families and elderly meet their filing obligations, by assisting with the preparation and e-filling of their federal, state and local returns for free. Ensuring that these tax payers are receiving the credits and maximum refunds they are entitled, while putting every dollar of their refund into their budgets and eliminating unnecessary tax preparation fees and costs.
Tax payers who use PICCA’s free tax clinic for the preparation and filing of their 2015 tax returns will get features offered at retail tax preparation providers, only for free.
- Federal, state and school district e-filing
- Federal refunds in as little as seven to 10 days with direct deposit
- Refunds to prepaid debit cards (for unbanked clients)
The Tax Clinic will be offered at two locations: Pickaway County Community Action at 469 E. Ohio St. and The Pickaway Senior Center at 2105 Chickasaw Dr. Dates and times at each location, so call today for appointment availability. Individuals can also prepare their own returns for FREE with Ohio Benefit Banks online tax preparation application at our self serve locations or any computer with internet access. Visit our web site at www.picca.info and click on Free Tax Clinic link to get started.
Free tax preparation is available to residents who adjusted gross income is $65,000 or less in 2015 and whose tax return falls within the scope of the VITA and OBB Program guidelines. To see if you qualify, have additional questions or to make an appointment call 740-477-1655 ext 319.
During the 2014 filing season, Tax Clinic volunteers helped file over 800 tax returns bringing over $1,000,000 of refunds into the local community.
PICCA’s Tax Clinic is always in need of volunteer greeters, preparers and reviewers. Volunteers do our community a tremendous service and provide a priceless resource to the people of Pickaway County. No prior experience or training is required. Tax Clinic volunteers are trained and certified by the IRS through its Volunteer Income Tax Assistant (VITA) program free of charge and at the volunteer’s conveyance. Tax Professionals (Enrolled Agents and Registered Tax Return Preparers) can earn up to 14 hours of continuing education credits when volunteering as a VITA quality reviewer. Volunteers can serve as much or as little as they chose at the locations they chose. For more information on Volunteering for the free tax clinic call Marcy at 740-477-1655 ext 316.
This article originally appeared on The Pickaway News Journal
