With 15 days left in the 2003 tax season, the Internal Revenue
Service is urging low-income, disabled, elderly, and non-English
speaking taxpayers to come to special Volunteer Income Tax
Assistance (VITA) sites that offer free Electronic Filing (e-file)
of their 2002 tax return.
\With 15 days left in the 2003 tax season, the Internal Revenue Service is urging low-income, disabled, elderly, and non-English speaking taxpayers to come to special Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites that offer free Electronic Filing (e-file) of their 2002 tax return.
At special VITA/e-file locations in the greater San Jose area, taxpayers with simple, basic federal tax forms such as Forms 1040-EZ, 1040-A, 1040, and the basic state tax forms 540-EZ and 540-A can get free help completing these forms.
Then, VITA will electronically file the return at no charge – for a more accurate return and a faster refund. Most taxpayers get their refunds in about 10 days.
To find a VITA/e-file site near you, call the IRS toll-free at 1-800-829-1040, or the California State Franchise Tax Board at 1-800-852-5711.
The Tax Counseling for the Elderly Program offers free tax assistance for seniors. Call Tax Aide at 1-888-227-7669.
Taxpayers planning to come to a VITA/e-file site should bring Forms W-2 from all employers, any Form 1099 received from a bank or other source, a Social Security Card for any dependents, a copy of last year’s tax return (if possible), and any other important information about 2002 income and expenses.
VITA volunteers, who are trained by the IRS, can alert taxpayers to special credits and deductions such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) which for 2002 allows up to $4,140 for working families.
