United Way-funded VITA program kicks off
Tuesday kicked off the first day of free tax filing appointments offered through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program at the local Community Action office, 1653 N. U.S. Route 68, Bellefontaine.
Clients filled all 14 available appointments Tuesday at Community Action, where staff expect to complete more than 200 returns in Logan County through April 5.
Appointments are available between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Tuesdays. Households at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty level qualify.
“We’re able to help the clients who really need it the most,” said Sara Boling, a Community Action financial services assistant. “They really can’t afford to pay $200 to $300 to have someone prepare their taxes.”
“It’s free. That’s what I like about it,” said client John Scholz of Quincy who attended the first-day appointment. “And they’re good people.”
VITA is funded by the United Way of Logan County and is designed to help low income families who could use a boost to maximize their tax benefits. According to the IRS, of the 21,450 federal income tax returns filed in Logan County in 2013, only 1.5 percent filed for free. The average cost was $260 per return.
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John Scholz of Quincy, left, speaks Tuesday with Shelley Harmon, Logan County manager of Community Action, during the first day of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program this year. (PHOTO | UNITED WAY OF LOGAN COUNTY) |
Read complete story in Wednesday’s Examiner.
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