Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)
A FREE income tax preparation service for qualifying taxpayers
Berkshire United Way helps individuals build financial stability by ensuring those who qualify receive the earned income tax credit of up to $6,044 through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. Over 5.5 million in additional dollars have been returned to working families in Berkshire County since Berkshire United Way began investing in the VITA program in 2011.
VITA offers FREE basic tax return preparation by IRS-certified individuals, with electronic filing to qualified households that made $54,000 or less. The VITA program is funded by Berkshire United Way and administered by Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity at 314 Columbus Avenue, Pittsfield. Please call (413) 442-0002 before April 15 to schedule an appointment or email freetaxes@berkshirehabitat.org for answers to any questions you might have. Filing of 2016 returns commences on February 4, 2017.
FREE tax prep is also available at the following locations:
- BCAC - Northern Berkshire County - call (413) 663-3014
- BCAC - Pittsfield - call (413) 418-3685
- Pittsfield Senior Center (AARP Tax-Aide) - call (413) 499-9346
Before you go to a VITA site, please see Publication 3676-B for a list of the services provided and consult the what to bring page to ensure you have all of the required documents and information needed in order for VITA volunteers to assist you.
Taxpayers also have the option to prepare their own basic federal and state tax return for free using web-based tax preparation software with the support of an IRS-certified volunteer to help guide them through the process. This option is available at the Habitat for Humanity office in Pittsfield.
Resources
Berkshire United Way is committed to helping individuals with their financial stability by providing tools and opportunities to save and prepare for financial setbacks. This includes the following resources.
You have a chance to save small and win big with SaveYourRefund 2017. Save at least $50 of your refund and you can enter to win $100! You will also be eligible to enter the $25,000 Grand Prize photo and caption contest. Make a promise to save now and you are more likely to follow through later; you will also receive automatic reminders to save part of your refund at tax time.
Use Form 8888 when you file your taxes to split your refund into two parts, one for spending and one for savings.
My Smart Money is a free, online tool from United Way, that can help anyone manage money, whether they are tackling current challenges or planning for down the road.
