Free Income Tax Preparation

Free tax help at VITA sites in Mesa

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)

The City of Mesa’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program provides free basic tax preparation and free electronic filing to benefit low income, elderly and disabled families living in Mesa. VITA volunteers serve as tax preparers, greeters, screeners and translators. This year with the uncertain economic conditions, VITA volunteers will assist any unemployed resident who has a basic return, including itemized deductions.

Free Income Tax Preparation

Mesa has four VITA sites that will be open between Monday, Feb. 2 and Tuesday, April 14:

• Mesa Community College Dobson Campus (Kirk Student Center), 1833 W. Southern Ave. Tuesdays and Thursdays 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. Saturdays 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

• Mesa Community College, Red Mountain Campus (Acacia Village Computer Lab), 2305 N. Power Road. Tuesdays 6 p.m. – 9.p.m. Saturdays 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

• Mercy Housing “Villas de Merced,” 520 N. Mesa Drive. Mondays 6 p.m. -9 p.m.

• A New Leaf-MesaCAN, 635 E. Broadway (Appointments call 480-833-9200 x. 219). Fridays 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

People should bring proof of identification, Social Security cards for you, your spouse and all dependents, plus picture identification. You should also bring all W-2 forms for every place you worked in 2008 and all 1099 forms for 2008. A complete copy of your 2007 federal and state income tax returns is helpful. Taxpayers filing a joint return must both be present to sign the required forms.

If you earned less than $41,646 in 2008, the Earned Income Tax Credit  (EITC) could refund you as much as $4,824 based on your earnings and family situation. For more information, log onto www.mesaaz.gov/humansvc/EITC.aspx or www.irs.gov/eitc

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