Free Tax Help Offered Through April

People who qualify for assistance in tax preparation can get help through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, or VITA, program, a tax service for individuals and families making less than $60,000 in 2022.

“VITA is a free tax service for those that are low to moderate income, and this allows them to get their taxes done at no cost,” said Virginia Career Works, or VCW, Prince William Center Manager Rebecca Bennett.

The VCW – Prince William Center houses the Prince William Financial Empowerment Center, which receives support from the United Way of the National Capital Area and offers financial coaching, workforce services, and workshops throughout the year, in addition to serving as a VITA site. 

Prince William County residents seeking training and employment services may also be eligible for ELEVATE, funded by the Prince William County Department of Economic Development through American Rescue Plan Act funds, at the VCW – Prince William Center.

Volunteer tax preparers will be available at the center, at 13370 Minnieville Road in Woodbridge, every Saturday until April 15 to help people fill out tax forms and offer advice.

No appointment is necessary, and walk-ins are welcome. For questions, please email [email protected].

“We have quite a few people that come in for the service. When tax season comes, we get many calls to ask if we’re still doing it in the county. We’re pleased to be able to tell them, ‘Yes,’ Bennett said.

People who come to the center to have their taxes completed need to bring the following:

• Photo identification.
• Social Security cards for spouses and dependents.
• Wage and earning statements which include W-2 and 1099 forms.
• Interest and dividend statements.
• Health insurance exemption certificate.
• Bank account routing and account numbers for direct deposit.
• Childcare statements.
• Health coverage statements.
• Copies of the prior year’s federal and state income tax returns.

Janice Tutt, a federal employee with several degrees in accounting, volunteers because she likes the work. “I volunteer because I like helping, I like doing taxes and I like helping people learn. I don’t just do the taxes for them. I try to teach them how easy it is. Some of the lower-income families don’t understand. It’s scary to them. I like to help them understand that it’s not that bad.”

Tatyana Resecneac recently got help at the work center. “The feedback was good. It was easy, so the next time I’ll be able to do it myself.”

Tax help, offered by the AARP Foundation Tax Aide, is also available through April 15 at Bull Run Library on Mondays from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and at Chinn Park Library by appointment.