Date: Mon, 24 Jan 2011 13:08:01 -0500
From: dale olbrich
Subject: Free Income Tax Preparation and Filing
*Free Tax Preparation & Filing Offered to Eligible Chatham Residents*
PITTSBORO—It’s that time of year again. The arrival of 2011means that it is income tax time. If you are in the lower or middle income tax brackets, you may be one of the Chatham residents eligible for free preparation and electronic filing (e-filing) of 2010 tax returns through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.
Sponsored by the Internal Revenue Services, Orange County RSVP and the Chatham County Council on Aging, VITA provides computerized preparation of 2010 income tax forms by people trained and certified by the IRS.
Services are offered on Wednesdays and Saturdays from Feb. 2 through April 16 by appointment only at the following locations in the county:
*Eastern Chatham Senior Center*, Highway 87 North, Pittsboro
*Western Chatham Senior Center*, 112 Village Lake Dr, Siler Business Park, Siler City
*Carolina Meadows, *Whippoorwill Dr., Chapel Hill
Appointments fill up fast and are required, so call Kim Weiland at the Council on Aging at 919-542-4512 to book a session. Spanish-speaking clients are welcome and can make an appointment by calling El Vinculo Hispano at 919-742-1448.
When arriving for your appointment, it is important to bring the following documentation to your appointment:
· Last year’s tax return
· Social Security cards or Tax Identification Numbers for you, your spouse and dependents
· Birth dates for everyone on your return
· Wage and earnings statements (W2, 1099R)
· Interest and dividend statements (1099 Interest, 1099 Dividends)
· Totaled receipts for all medical expenses and charitable contributions
· Proof of property taxes paid
· Total paid for daycare services as well as tax identifications of providers
· Education expenses plus information about any student loans
· Proof of any unemployment compensation received
“Bringing needed information to your appointment will speed the process, save you time and also can save money,” said Angel Dennison, executive director of the Council on Aging. “Also, if you are married and filing jointly both spouses must be present to sign the return.”
Dennison said that residents who are due a tax refund will get them much faster using e-filing compared to mailing the forms. “Also, if you allow the IRS to make a direct deposit into your bank account, the refund could be in your account in two to three weeks.”