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Free Income Tax Preparation

The 2008 Federal income tax season is here! For a fifth year, United Way of Palm Beach County and its partners are providing free income tax preparation services through its Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA). There are more than 20 VITA sites located throughout the county.

The free tax-preparation service is available to those who earn $40,000 or less a year. Last year, 10,127 Palm Beach County residents used VITA to file their taxes, and received $14 million in refunds, including $5.6 million in Earned Income Tax refunds. In addition, the VITA program saved Palm Beach County residents $1 million in fees that would have gone to tax-preparation companies.

VITA sites are staffed by volunteers who have been certified by the IRS. Some VITA sites offer weeknight and weekend hours. Tax returns are e-filed so people can have their refund checks within 10-14 days.

To find a VITA site, residents need to call 2-1-1, the county’s information and referral line. United Way of Palm Beach County also has an updated list of VITA sites on its website at www.unitedwaypbc.org under “Helpful Links.”