VITA – Free Tax Preparation

When people are financially stable, they can make financial decisions that benefit themselves and their families, which, in turn, benefits the community. Being financially stable also puts families in a better position to handle crisis – job loss, illness or other unforeseen expenses.

Consider Byron, a father of five. A co-worker mentioned that he might qualify for an Earned Income Tax Credit. So, he went to a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance site to have his taxes prepared and found out that he was eligible for more than $5,600 in EITC. With that money, he was able to remove mold that had spread through his house, causing one of his children to have headaches and occasional asthma flare-ups.

The VITA program is just one way United Way of Acadiana is creating financial stability. In the last two years, this program put approximately $9 million back in the hands of hardworking families through free tax preparation assistance. During that period, volunteers assisted more than 5,400 Acadiana residents in filing their taxes, helping them claim approximately $2 million each year of the nearly $30 million in Earned Income Tax Credit that goes unclaimed annually.

VITA SITES

IRS-Certified Tax Preparers are ready to help you at the following locations
     – some sites open as early as Jan. 18:

• ACADIA PARISH
  • Assist Agency: 11 North Parkerson Crowley, LA 70526, 337-788-7550, ext. 138
    • OPENING DAY: Jan. 18
    • HOURS: Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. until noon and 1:30-3 p.m.

• IBERIA PARISH
  • Iberia Parish Library: 445 E. Main St. New Iberia, LA 70560, 337-364-7024
  • SMILE/New Iberia: 722 Walton St. New Iberia, LA 70560, 337-365-8151

• LAFAYETTE PARISH
  • Acadiana High School: 315 Rue de Belier Lafayette, LA 70506, 337-984-2324
    • NO LONGER TAKING APPOINTMENTS. AT CAPACITY.
  • SMILE/Lafayette: 501 St. John St. Lafayette, LA 70501, 337-234-3272, ext. 219
    • HOURS (APPOINTMENT ONLY): Monday through Thursday from 2-4 p.m.
  • Proyecto Hispano de Ayuda la Comunidad: 1006 Surrey St. Lafayette, LA 70501, 337-849-4145
    • HOURS: Tuesdays from 5-8 p.m., Thursdays from 1-4 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.
       
• ST. LANDRY PARISH
  • Continuous Links: 8202 Highway 182 Opelousas, LA 70570, 337-942-3911
  • The Southwest Center for Rural Initiatives: 1209 Diesi St. Opelousas, LA 70570, 337-943-2410
     
• ST. MARTIN PARISH
  • SMILE/St. Martin: 2097 Terrace Rd. St. Martinville, LA 70582, 337-394-6013
     
• ST. MARY PARISH
  • St. Mary CAA Central Office: 1407 Barrow St. Franklin, LA 70538, 337-828-5703
     
• VERMILION PARISH
  • ASSIST Agency: 407 Charity St. Abbeville, LA 70510, 337-898-9554
    • OPENING DAY: Jan. 18
    • HOURS: Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. until noon and 1:30-3 p.m.
       
• SUPER TAX DAYS
  • Acadiana High School, February 13, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Northside High School, 301 Duran St., Lafayette, LA 70501, Feb. 20, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
     
• BRING THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:
  • Photo ID and original Social Security Card or ITIN
  • All W2s
  • Any other tax-related documents

QUALIFICATIONS

If you work and have household income below $54,000 in 2015, you may be eligible for free tax preparation services and a quick refund.

You may also qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit, which could mean thousands for your family.

To qualify for Earned Income Tax Credit, your Tax Year Earned Income and Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) must each be less than:

• $47,747: With 3 or more qualifying children
• $53,267: If married, filing jointly
   
• $44,454: With 2 qualifying children
• $49,974: If married, filing jointly
   
• $39,131: With 1 qualifying child
• $44,651: If married, filing jointly
   
• $14,820: With no qualifying children
• $20,330: If married, filing jointly

Additionally, if you make less than $62,000, you can file for free at MyFreeTaxes.com. It’s easy, safe, secure and free. Some fees apply for those making more than $62,000.