Eligible taxpayers in North Carolina lose between $93 million and $176 million of their own money each year because they do not claim federal taxes due back to them through the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).  The average EITC is $1,800.  Each year, the EITC helps to lift roughly 5 million people out of poverty, including 2.5 million children. Nationally, only 75 percent to 85 percent of those eligible for the EITC actually file for it.  Some working families lose even more money because they pay high fees for tax preparation services and short-term, high-interest, refund anticipation loans.
(www.eitc-carolinas.org – Legal Aid of NC website)

Please take advantage of this important free service and SAVE MONEY NOW!!!

See below for VITA centers in Durham at the following locations:

• Durham County Main Library and Regional Branches
  (call to see if in Spanish)
• El Centro Hispano (in English and Spanish)
• Legal Aid of NC (call to see if in Spanish)
• NCCU School of Law (in English and Spanish)

NCCU SCHOOL OF LAW
VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance)

NCCU Law students trained and certified to prepare tax returns through the VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) Program will offer free income tax return preparation and filing on Saturdays in February and March from 9:00am-3:00 pm.

NCCU School of Law is located at 640 Nelson Street, Durham, NC 27707 (on the corner of Alston Avenue and Cecil).

This service is offered to members of the community as well as to NCCU students and employees.

 

NCCU VITA tax preparation services will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis and returns are prepared while you wait. Returns will be filed electronically and in most cases taxpayers will receive refunds in 7 to 10 days. Spanish-language tax preparers will be available most Saturdays.
Taxpayers wishing to have their returns prepared by VITA should bring with them:

• Proof of identification (valid photo identification)
• Social Security Cards for you, your spouse and dependents and/or a Social Security Number verification letter issued by the Social Security Administration
• Birth dates for you, your spouse and dependents on the tax return
• Current year’s tax package if you received one
• Wage and earning statement(s) Form W-2, W-2G, 1099-R, from all employers
• Interest and dividend statements from banks (Forms 1099)
• A copy of last year’s Federal and State returns if available
• Bank Routing Numbers and Account Numbers for Direct Deposit
• Total paid for day care provider and the day care provider's tax identifying number (the provider's Social Security Number or the provider's business Employer Identification Number)
• To file taxes electronically on a married filing joint tax return, both spouses must be present to sign the required forms.
  Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) is an IRS program that provides free income tax return preparation to taxpayers earning up to $39,000 annually. VITA helps working families take advantage of all of the tax credits they are eligible for including the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), Child Tax Credit (CTC), and education credits.

DURHAM COUNTY LIBRARIES
VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) Tax Preparation

VITA TAX preparation assistance will be available to SENIOR CITIZEN and LOW INCOME INDIVIDUALS at the Durham County Library. Trained volunteers will assist with 1040EZ, 1040, 1040A and NC tax forms. Taxpayers should bring W-2 forms, tax forms received in the mail, and receipts. The IRS now requires two forms of ID - one must be a valid picture ID and the other MUST by the taxpayer's Social Security Card of Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).

North Regional Library, 221 Milton Rd, 560-0231 
February 4 - April 14 (Mondays, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., Sign-up sheet goes up at 4:30 p.m.)

Main Library, 300 N. Roxboro St, 560-0100
February 6 - April 9 (Wednesdays, 5:30 – 8:00 p.m., Sign-up sheet goes up at 4:00 p.m.)

Main Library, 300 N. Roxboro St, 560-0100
Feb 2, 16; Mar 1, 15, 29; Apr 12
(10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Sign-up sheet goes up 9:30a.m.)

ELCENTRO HISPANO
VITA Tax Preparation

In collaboration with VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance), El Centro Hispano also works with community members providing income tax assistance throughout the year.  General information on tax related issues including how to obtain an Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN) and how to prepare your annual tax declaration is offered through the Members’ Resource Office. 

Dates/Times:  Saturdays from 10am-2pm on the following dates - 2/16, 2/23, 3/1, 4/5
Walk-in acceptable, but appointments preferred

For more information: 201 West Main Street, Suite 100 , Durham, NC  27701   Phone: 919-687-4635 ext. 45 (Hamdani Bustillo); www. elcentronc.org

LEGAL AID OF NC
Tax Assistance Project (TAP)

To qualify for this free service in January and February 2008, a family has to have made under $40,000. The service is sponsored by LANC with the IRS providing oversight under its VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) Program. In addition to free tax return preparation assistance, LANC will also offer free electronic filing (e-filing). Individuals taking advantage of the e-file program will receive their refunds in half the time (usually within 10 days) compared to returns filed on paper even faster if you have your refund deposited directly into your bank account.

State and Federal Tax preparation services will take place by appointment at 20 LANC offices across North Carolina. Appointments for tax preparation can be scheduled by calling LANC's toll-free telephone number, 1-866-219-LANC (1-866-219-5262) or by calling local LANC offices. Additional information on the LANC Tax Assistance Program (TAP) may be found on the LANC website (www.legalaidnc.org). 

To secure an appointment to have your taxes prepared by a certified volunteer tax preparer:  Call your local Legal Aid of NC office; OR call 866-219-5262 (toll-free).

Information Needed from Taxpayer:
Valid photo ID for taxpayer (if filing a joint return, a valid photo ID is also needed for the spouse.

   Social Security Card or Individual Tax identification Number
      (ITIN) documentation for: Taxpayer, Spouse (required for joint return only), Children or other household members claimed.
   Tax information:
            - W-2 form for each job held in 2007 (get from employer)
            - Other documents relevant to income
            - Spouse must be present for signatures (e-file return only)
            - Bank account and routing numbers (required for direct
              deposit).