Tax season can be a stressful time for many, especially seniors who may be unsure about their filing requirements or concerned about potential scams. Fortunately, the Literacy Council of Bowie and Miller Counties offers a valuable resource through their IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. In a recent “Coffee and Conversations” interview with DeVon Wilson and Angela Glass from the Area Agency on Aging, Kristina Rivas, Executive Director of the Literacy Council, shared essential information about this free service.
What is the VITA Program?
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program provides free tax preparation services to eligible individuals and families. The Literacy Council has been a provider of this service for four years, helping community members file their taxes at no cost.
Who can get free tax assistance through the VITA program?
The VITA program will provide free tax assistance to individuals who meet any ONE of the following qualifications:
- Age 60 and older
- Household income of $67,000 or less
- Persons with disabilities
- Limited English-speaking taxpayers
How to schedule a VITA appointment at the Literacy Council?
Call 903-823-3470
Leave a message if calling after hours. Most appointments take about an hour and all steps, including evaluation and final checks, are completed in a single appointment, eliminating the need for multiple visits.
Resources Referenced in the Conversation:
What to bring to your local VITA appointment?
To ensure a smooth tax preparation process, participants should bring the following documents to their appointment:
- Photo identification for taxpayer and spouse, if applicable
- For a married-filing-joint tax return, both spouses must be present to sign the required forms
- Social Security cards or ITINs for all individuals on the tax return
- Wage and earning statements (Forms W-2, W-2G, 1099-R, 1099-MISC)
- Interest and dividend statements from banks (Forms 1099)
- A copy of last year’s federal and state returns, if available
- Bank account information for direct deposit
- Additional documents related to income, expenses, and health insurance
- Personal Identification Number (PIN), if applicable
- Valid U.S driver’s license
- Employer ID
- School ID
- State ID (U.S.)
- Military ID
- National ID
- Visa
- Passport
Common Tax Filing Challenges for Seniors
According to Rivas, some of the most common issues seniors face include:
- Healthcare Insurance Documentation: Many people don’t realize they need separate forms for Marketplace healthcare insurance, which requires specific processing in tax returns.
- Missing Documentation: Having incomplete paperwork, especially for those on disability or with interest from bank accounts or property sales, can delay the filing process.
Avoiding Tax Scams
With tax scams on the rise, Rivas shared crucial information to help seniors protect themselves:
- The IRS communicates exclusively through mail, never by phone
- Hang up immediately if someone calls claiming to represent the IRS
- Be wary of requests for payments through Cash App, PayPal, or gift cards. These won’t be from the IRS.
Additional Financial Support Services
Beyond tax preparation, the Literacy Council offers:
- Financial literacy courses integrated into tax appointments
- One-on-one financial coaching
- Mobile financial coaches who can meet clients anywhere in town