Free Tax Help Available for Low-Income Households

(File image.)

As tax time approaches next month’s deadline, low to moderate income filers in greater Haverhill are eligible for free help preparing 2015 federal and/or state tax returns.

Haverhill-based Community Action Inc. (CAI), 3 Washington Square, first floor, is offering area tax filers free help through the “Volunteer Income Tax Assistance” (VITA) program sponsored the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Assistance is offered by appointment, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings through April 16. IRS-certified volunteers provide free basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals.

“CAI participates in the IRS sponsored VITA Program, which offers free tax help to low-to moderate-income people (generally $54,000 and below). IRS certified volunteers receive training to help prepare basic and intermediate tax returns for those unable to do so themselves,” according to the agency.

CAI also said it anticipates “offering Virtual VITA, which will be a drop off program to assist tax payers during periods of excessive demand.”

“The 2016 tax filing deadline for taxpayers in Massachusetts will be Tuesday, April 19,” a spokesperson added on social media. “This extension is due to how certain federal and state holidays fall in 2016.”

In addition to Haverhill, CAI’s VITA program serves residents of Amesbury, Boxford, Georgetown, Groveland, Merrimac, Newbury, Newburyport, Rowley, Salisbury and West Newbury. Some CAI programs also serve Beverly, Essex, Gloucester, Hamilton, Ipswich, Lawrence, Manchester, Rockport, Topsfield and Wenham.

To schedule an appointment, call (978) 373-1971, or visit www.communityactioninc.org/programs/tax-assistance.