As tax season rolls around, individuals and families in Placer County who are feeling the crunch can access some relief thanks to a collaboration between Placer County Health and Human Services, the IRS, and United Way. Offering free tax assistance through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program is meant to ease the burden for those earning $67,000 or less, a service that previously resulted in 280 tax returns filed and over $377,000 in refunds funneling back into the community, according to the Placer County Government website.
Beginning on Friday at 10:00 a.m., VITA’s services becomes accessible online for no fee through GetYourRefund.org, where IRS-certified volunteers are set to whip up your tax returns; the platform boasts not only English and Spanish options but over 120 other languages to cater to diverse linguistic needs, as those preferring face-to-face assistance get a plethora of drop-off appointment opportunities throughout February and March in various cities including Rocklin, Auburn, and Lincoln with scheduling available right away by dialing 2-1-1.
The occasion also brings attention to the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) on Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at a special event hosted in Rocklin off Sunset Boulevard, a timely affair considering it's EITC Awareness Day, there, IRS-certified tax experts are positioned ready to assist attendees concerning their eligibility for the federal EITC, which could mount up to an extra $2,000 per child for those qualifying families, "Taxes can be daunting, especially for those who may not have access to affordable help," expressed Greg Geisler, Human Services director, as quoted on the Placer County Government's website.
Details regarding the necessary documentation for tax assistance is outlined on the GetHelpPlacer website, further facilitating the process for community members, and for those who prefer to independently tackle their tax forms, MyFreeTaxes.com offers another cost-free solution without any income restrictions, ensuring that residents of Placer County have a variety of resources at their disposal to walk through tax season with increased confidence and potentially a more significant refund in their pocket.
