Free Tax Preparation and e-file Services

Marlborough Community Development Corporation (MCDC) has announced that this year’s free tax preparation for low and moderate-income taxpayers at its site in Marlborough has begun.

In the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, tax preparation by IRS-certified volunteers helps working families to file for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). On Saturday mornings 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and on Thursday afternoons 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at St. Mary’s Credit Union. Volunteers from St, Mary’s Credit Union and MCDC assist the IRS in its effort to support the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), which is one of the largest antipoverty federal programs that supports working families.

Most simple tax returns can be prepared at the VITA site, where both state and federal tax returns are prepared for taxpayers earning less than $54,000 in 2018. Appointments are required – walk-in services are not available. Appointments can be made by calling 508-658-0882.

For taxpayers with internet access, free self-service e-file is available for those with less than $66,000 in 2018 earnings. www.MyFreeTaxes.com, where taxpayers can file both Federal and State tax returns for free, is recommended by the IRS and supported by MCDC’s VITA staff. www.MyFreeTaxes.com guides taxpayers through a series of questions, and many returns can be prepared using its question and answer format in an hour or less, free of charge.

This is the seventh year that St. Mary’s Credit Union has sponsored Marlborough’s VITA program. MCDC’s staff use one of St. Mary’s Credit Union’s Marlborough branch locations to serve dozens of taxpayers.

In addition to tax preparation, MCDC offers financial coaching and education services through its Financial Fitness Center. These services are available at no charge to low- and moderate-income people in the greater Marlborough area.

MCDC’s VITA program is also supported by donations from Marlborough Savings Bank, Avidia, and from individuals in the region.

Marlborough Community Development Corporation (MCDC) builds stronger communities in the Marlborough region by organizing and mobilizing community resources to enable residents to live better. MCDC operates Financial Fitness Center, ClearPath hoarding help, and other self-sufficiency programming. MCDC is located at 40 Mechanic St., Suite 300, Marlborough, MA. For more information see www.strongcommunity.org, or call 508-658-0880.