Q: Where can seniors get their taxes done?
A: The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and AARP Foundation Tax-Aide programs are available again this year through April – but sites are limited.
If you made less than $58,000 in 2021, and need assistance in preparing your tax return, the VITA-trained volunteers will prepare basic federal and state tax returns, as well as homestead property tax credit and home heating credit, for low-income people, seniors and those with disabilities.
Complex tax returns, and those involving business pursuits, need to be completed through a tax preparation service.
This is the info on currently available VITA sites:
- Berrien and Cass counties: No in-person visits. Drop-off/pick-up system by appointment only. If you were a client last year, you will receive a letter with paperwork and instructions on how to make an appointment. if you are new this year and would like an appointment call Sara Barlow, Project Coordinator-Impact from United Way of Southwest Michigan at 269-982-4029.
- Van Buren County: Senior Services, 8337 M-140, South Haven, 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Wednesdays, February and March, by appointment only, call 655-8000; Freshwater Community Church, 600 E. Michigan Ave., Paw Paw, 1-6 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, February and March, no appointments, walk-in service drop off/pick up only (in most cases, pick up completed taxes and original paperwork the following week).
There are also some VITA sites available in Kalamazoo and South Bend, Ind., but people should contact those sites to make sure their taxes can be prepared there. To search for VITA sites online, visit irs.treasury.gov/freetaxprep.
The AARP program provides free tax assistance to anyone, with a special focus on taxpayers who are 50 or older or who have low to moderate income. Tax-Aide volunteers are located nationwide, are trained and are IRS-certified every year to make sure they know about and understand the latest changes and additions to the tax code.
According to AARP’s website, tax help will be provided in safe environments using a variety of methods based on a number of factors, including where you’re located, COVID-19 spread and volunteer availability. For more information and availability, visit www.aarp.org/money/taxes/aarp_taxaide.
Here are the AARP Tax-Aide programs available locally:
- Senior centers in Berrien and Cass counties: For residents 60 and older in each center’s service area.
- Benton Harbor/Benton Township Senior Center: No tax appointments this year.
- Buchanan Area Senior Center: Stop by or call 695-7119 to schedule an appointment. Pick up the “Intake Form” at the center, and complete it prior to your appointment.
- Cass County Council on Aging in Cassopolis: Plans to begin taking appointments later this month. Call 445-8110 for more information.
- Central County Senior Center in Berrien Springs: Call Heidi or Amy at 471-2017.
- Greater Niles Senior Center: Call 683-9380 for an appointment, on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday. A form needs to be completed before your appointment.
- North Berrien Senior Center in Coloma: Drop off/pick up only, no in-person appointments. Call 468-3366 once all tax documents have arrived to set an appointment.
- River Valley Senior Center in Harbert: Will not be accepting new tax clients. If you had your taxes done there last year and want to have them done again, call 469-4556 to add your name to the list. In-person or drop-off/pick-up appointments still to be determined.
- St. Joseph-Lincoln Senior Center in St. Joseph: No tax appointments this year.
Finally, if you’re computer savvy, you can file your state and federal taxes online at myfreetaxes.com. This free and safe service is a partnership between United Way and H&R Block, and is now open to all income levels, individuals and families, unless you need to file schedule C, D or E. The site includes live tax support – via email, chat or phone – to answer questions.
The Region IV Area Agency on Aging’s Info Line for Aging and Disability will try to assist with information about tax preparation in our area as it becomes available, so you can call 800-654-2810, too.