Low income families can still file taxes until May 30

Courtesy of Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)

Pinal County taxpayers can still file their taxes for free at Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites, until May 30.

To qualify they must have a basic return and have made below $48,000 in 2010 if they had dependents or $25,000 if they have no dependents. Those who have yet to file can contact Program Manager Ricardo Banuelos at the United Way of Pinal County office, 520-836-0736, ext. 20, to set up an appointment. This service is available in Maricopa at the Maricopa Lutheran Church, 16540 N. Porter Rd.

At times, taxpayers who have a balance due on their return refuse to file by the April 15 deadline, thinking that they must pay when they file. This can be costly since the penalty for filing late is heftier than the penalty for paying late. VITA encourages families facing financial distress to file and set up a payment plan with the IRS instead of putting it off.

Over 520 taxpayers in Pinal County communities have filed through VITA in 2011. Programs like VITA are targeted to help low-income, elderly, disabled and non-English speaking taxpayers who may not have the resources or the know how to file their taxes.

Many low-income taxpayers qualify for refunds of prepaid taxes as well as “refundable” tax credits for children and earned income. The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is an especially important component of federal aid to working families, lifting almost 5 million people out of poverty each year, including 2.5 million children.

What to bring:

Social Security cards, ITIN cardsor official IRS letter forALLhousehold members
Picture ID for taxpayer and spouse
Proof of income, including ALL W2’s and 1099 forms
If filing jointly, both adults must be present to sign

If applicable:

Copy of last year’s tax return
Bank account and routing numbers for direct deposit (safer and faster refund)
Tax ID# of child care provider
Receipts with amount of money paid to child care provider