Family Services Offers Free Basic Income Tax Preparation for Low-Income Individuals and Families

Family Services, the Montgomery County Asset Building Coalition and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) are offering free basic income tax preparation for low-to-moderate income individuals and families (who earned less than $54,000 in 2016) through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.

The IRS trains and certifies all VITA volunteers to prepare and electronically file income tax forms. The mission of the program is to help working families improve their finances and increase their self-sufficiency.

“We can help put money back in your pocket,” said Shirley Petko, Family Services’ VITA site coordinator. “By filing taxes through a VITA site, clients save money in filing fees. In addition, our VITA volunteers are trained to assist clients in claiming special credits and refunds, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).”

Family Services is offering VITA appointments at two locations in Montgomery County:

• Family Services’ Pottstown Office, 1976 East High Street, Pottstown. Appointment times: Mondays and Tuesdays, 5-8 p.m. and Saturdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Family Services’ Eagleville Office, 3125 Ridge Pike, Eagleville. Appointment times: Thursdays, 5-8 p.m.

Appointments are required. To schedule an appointment at the sites listed above, please call Family Services at 610-326-1610.

Individuals must bring the following documents to their VITA appointment:

• Photo identification (driver’s license or state-issued identification card) for self and spouse
• Social security cards for self, spouse and dependents
• Birth dates for self, spouse and dependents
• Wage and earning statement(s) (Form W-2, 1099, unemployment statements) from all employers for self and spouse
• Health insurance statement (Forms 1095-A, 1095-B or 1095-C)
• Interest and dividend statements from banks for self and spouse
• Bank account and routing numbers for direct deposit
• Other relevant information about income and expenses
• Total paid for daycare, daycare provider’s address and tax identification number
• Total paid for college tuition, college’s address and tax identification number
• Form 8332 or a copy of a divorce decree if you are a non-custodial parent claiming a child
• A copy of last year’s federal and state tax returns (if available)
• If filing jointly, both the filer and spouse must be present to sign the tax return.

Since 1900, Family Services has been caring for children, seniors and families in Montgomery County who face everyday emotional difficulties or physical hardships. The agency’s innovative social service programs make a positive difference in the lives of 13,000 county residents each year. For more information, contact Family Services’ Pottstown Office at 610-326-1610 or visit www.fsmontco.org.