Free Tax Prep Assistance

With taxes due at midnight on April 18th, Assemblymember Bill Dodd (D-Napa) would like to reminded residents that assistance is available for those having difficulty with their tax returns.

The California Franchise Tax Board sponsors a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program and a Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) program to help individuals complete their income tax returns. These programs are supported by local groups, especially the United Way.

“When preparing income tax returns, people often run into problems or become lost in the maze of forms and rules, said Assemblymember Dodd. “I was proud to help create the state’s new Earned Income Tax Credit to help working families, and I want to make sure every eligible person is able to receive the benefit.”

There are VITA and TCE sites throughout the area and many offer special assistance, such as bilingual and/or shut-in services. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has a Taxpayer Advocate Service, which provides an independent system to ensure that tax problems that have not been resolved through normal channels are handled promptly and fairly. Each state and each service center has at least one taxpayer advocate who is independent of the local IRS office and reports directly to the National Taxpayer Advocate.

Additionally, millions of federal dollars go unclaimed every year by people and families that don’t apply for the Earned Income Tax Credit, a benefit for working people who earn low or moderate incomes. Residents who believe they may qualify are highly encouraged to contact VITA or TCE programs nearest them.

Below is a list of upcoming workshops in Napa County:

American Canyon

American Canyon FRC
3423 Broadway Suite D-1
American Canyon, CA 94503
Open: 1/30/2016- 4/9/2016
Appointments: (707) 980-7024
Language Assistance: Spanish and English

Calistoga

UpValley Family Centers Calistoga
1500 Cedar Street
Calistoga, CA 94515
Open: 2/2/2016 - 4/14/2016
Appointments: (707) 942-6206
Language Assistance: English, Spanish

Napa

Napa Senior Center
1500 Jefferson St
Napa, CA 94559
Open: 2/2/2016 4/8/2016
Appointments: (707) 257-9605
Language Assistance: English only
Notes: By Appointment only

On the Move - Phillips Elementary FRC
1210 Shetler Ave
Community Resource Room
Napa, CA 94559
Open: 2/6/2016 - 4/16/2016
Appointments: (707) 253-3481
Language Assistance: English and Spanish

St. Helena

St. Helena Public Library
1492 Library Ln
Saint Helena, CA 94574
Open: 2/4/2016 - 4/7/2016
Contact: (707) 963-5244
Language Assistance: English only

UpValley Family Centers St. Helena
1440 Spring Street
Saint Helena, CA 94574
Open: 2/1/2016 - 4/18/2016
Appointments: (707) 963-1919
Language Assistance: English, Spanish