Dear Friends,

As we gear up for tax season, I want to make sure you’re aware of the services provided by the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program. Too often, folks end up paying too much by missing out on cost-saving tax credits or by spending money on fees for professional tax preparers.

Connecticut families work too hard to leave money on the table during tax season. VITA offers free tax counseling to individuals and families generally making $64,000 or less, as well as persons with disabilities and limited English speakers. VITA sites are managed by IRS partners including many libraries, schools, community centers, and nonprofit organizations. Each location is staffed with IRS-certified volunteers you can trust, ready to assist with basic federal and state tax return preparation.

I recently joined the Alliance for Community Empowerment to promote VITA’s services in Norwalk. It was heartening to see so many people there, and I hope that even more members of our community utilize this remarkable program in the coming weeks. Find a VITA site near you and learn more about federal tax help initiatives here.

In addition to VITA, there are several other free tax assistance programs for eligible filers here in Southwest Connecticut. The IRS offers Tax Counseling for the Elderly programs, specializing in questions about pensions and retirement-related issues unique to seniors for those aged 60 and older. The Connecticut Department of Revenue Services (DRS) provides state tax help over the phone at (860) 297-5770. The University of Connecticut School of Law runs a federal and state tax clinic for low-income Connecticut residents. Call (860) 570-5165 to learn more or book an appointment.

I encourage you to seek the professional help of VITA or one of the other programs listed above, which will save you money and better inform you and your family of available tax credits. If you have further questions about the VITA program, please do not hesitate to call my Bridgeport office at (203) 333-6600. 

Sincerely,

Jim