Free Tax Return Help in Prince William County

Provided, Prince William County:

People who earned less than $54,000 in 2015 can get free help filing their tax returns through the national Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, or VITA, program.

Tax experts will be at the James J. Ferlazzo Building, at 15741 Donald Curtis Drive in Woodbridge, on Saturdays from now until April 11 between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Preparers will also be available at the Prince William SkillSource Center at 13370 Minnieville Road between noon and 4 p.m. on Mondays from now until April 18, according to Shamel Ware, an Internal Revenue Service accountant who oversees the program.

Ware said the volunteer experts, who will be on hand to help with tax returns, go through rigorous training to become certified before they can help people prepare their paperwork.

People should come prepared with their W2s, 1099s or any other relevant tax forms; Social Security cards for themselves and their dependents or a taxpayer identification number for every working member of the family; a photo ID; any relevant bank statements; a voided check for direct deposit; expense documents; and proof of health insurance, Ware said.

“We have a process where we start out with a greeter and a screener. The greeter will maintain a sign-in sheet, and we’ll hand out an intake interview form where we get their information. The screener will communicate with the clients to make sure that they have all the required documents,” Ware said.

James Do, the Northern Virginia Program Coordinator, said the aim of the program is to find as many deductions as possible to help taxpayers get the most money they can in their returns. Last year, preparers assisted 187 Prince William clients. “We helped these clients to bring back a total of $284,197 in federal refunds.”

The Prince William County Department of Social Services partners with the Northern Virginia Creating Assets, Savings and Hope campaign to provide free tax preparation services for low-income working individuals and families through the VITA program.

For more information on the VITA program, visit nvacash.org or call 703-533-5474.