Free Tax Prep for Norfolk County Residents

Editor's Note: The following was submitted to Patch by Quincy Community Action Programs, Inc.

With a few weeks remaining for Westwood residents to file income tax returns, Quincy Community Action Programs, Inc., is reminding residents to not wait until the deadline to take advantage of its free tax preparation services.

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program - which provides low-income taxpayers with free tax counseling and tax return preparation – is offered Thursdays, from 6-9 p.m. and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., until Saturday, April 14 for Norfolk County residents.

Funded by the United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley, QCAP’s VITA program is a free service that utilizes IRS-certified volunteers to help residents prepare their federal and Massachusetts tax returns.

The goal is to ensure residents receive all of the tax credits and deductions for which they are eligible, including the Massachusetts Circuit Breaker Credit for seniors, Child Tax Credit, and the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), a federal income tax credit for low-income, working individuals and families that often goes unclaimed.

Last year, QCAP helped clients to claim more than $1.2 million in total refunds, and the average refund per client was more than $2,000.

To be eligible for the program, clients must reside in Norfolk County and have an income of less than $50,000, or have qualified for QCAP fuel assistance during the 2011-2012 winter season.

For more information and to schedule an appointment, contact QCAP’s VITA program at 617-657-5345 or visit www.qcap.org.