Benjamin Franklin's famous quote "The only thing certain in life are death and taxes" may have an element of truth to it, but that doesn't mean doing your taxes has to cause so much stress that you'd rather be 20-feet under.
It's a given that non-health related events in our lives - such as filing taxes - causes health issues resulting from the stress tied to it. Even the U.S. federal government realizes that tax season can cause undue stress, and offers tips on its website on how to deal with it. Read more here.
I'm here to tell you there are places in the Greater Springfield area where you can get FREE help with you're taxes, or at least offer free information on how to make the process a lot easier.
Springfield Partners for Community Action:
Springfield Partners for Community Action's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program provides FREE income tax filing assistance to low-to-moderate income taxpayers, and to taxpayers who are disabled or speak limited English. The service is provided up through April 15. You must call for an appointment. Walk-in services are not provided. For a listing of VITA sites see below.
Income eligibility guidelines are $21,660 for a family of one; $29,140 for family of two, $36,620 for a family of three, $44,100 for a family of four, $51,589 for a family of five, and so on following the federal poverty guidelines.
VITA helps working families take advantage of all of the tax credits available to them, including the Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit and education credits. Volunteers help prepare basic, current year tax returns for eligible taxpayers free of charge.
2011 VITA sites in Springfield:
For seniors who need help
For seniors, tax preparation locations in the Springfield area are offered through the AARP Tax-Aide Program. Locations for tax preparation services are at the Good Life Center, Greenleaf Center and Pine Point Center.
To schedule an appointment at the Good Life Center, call (413) 787-6785. One hour appointments are scheduled for 8:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., and 11:30 a.m. every Thursday through April 7.
To schedule an appointment at the Greenleaf Center call (413) 750-2873, Appointments will be for 45-minutes at 9 a.m. on Tuesdays through April 12.
To schedule an appointment at the Pine Point Center call (413) 732-1072. Appointments will be held during the afternoons up through April 13.
Don't let the annual task of filing taxes get you under the weather. Seek help first and good luck.
Springfield Partners for Community Action:
Springfield Partners for Community Action's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program provides FREE income tax filing assistance to low-to-moderate income taxpayers, and to taxpayers who are disabled or speak limited English. The service is provided up through April 15. You must call for an appointment. Walk-in services are not provided. For a listing of VITA sites see below.
Income eligibility guidelines are $21,660 for a family of one; $29,140 for family of two, $36,620 for a family of three, $44,100 for a family of four, $51,589 for a family of five, and so on following the federal poverty guidelines.
VITA helps working families take advantage of all of the tax credits available to them, including the Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit and education credits. Volunteers help prepare basic, current year tax returns for eligible taxpayers free of charge.
2011 VITA sites in Springfield:
- Springfield Partners for Community Action, 619 or 721 State St., (413) 263-6500.
- Moxon Apartments Community Room, Indian Orchard, 20 LaFrance St., (413) 263-6500
- 1199 SEIU, 20 Maple St., (877) 409-1199
- Open Pantry, 2460 Main st., (413) 263-6500
- Hampden Bank, 19 Harrison Ave., (413) 263-6500
- Goodwill Industries, 475 Sumner Ave., (413) 263-6500
- Farris Mitchell Education Development Center, Brightwood, 103 Division St., (413) 785-4500
- Barton Neighborhood Center, 160 Nursery St., (413) 785-4500.
For seniors, tax preparation locations in the Springfield area are offered through the AARP Tax-Aide Program. Locations for tax preparation services are at the Good Life Center, Greenleaf Center and Pine Point Center.
To schedule an appointment at the Good Life Center, call (413) 787-6785. One hour appointments are scheduled for 8:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., and 11:30 a.m. every Thursday through April 7.
To schedule an appointment at the Greenleaf Center call (413) 750-2873, Appointments will be for 45-minutes at 9 a.m. on Tuesdays through April 12.
To schedule an appointment at the Pine Point Center call (413) 732-1072. Appointments will be held during the afternoons up through April 13.
Don't let the annual task of filing taxes get you under the weather. Seek help first and good luck.
