Tax Assistance Available for Middlesex County Residents
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Middlesex United Way is once again partnering with VITA (Middlesex Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) to offer free tax preparation and filing assistance to local residents who qualify. The free services are available to Middlesex County households with incomes under $65,000.
VITA volunteers are IRS-certified and trained to assist in the preparation and filing of income taxes. Appointments are open now and will run through April 13, 2024 at MARC Community Resources and Amazing Grace Food Pantry. Volunteers are available to assist with filing taxes 21 hours each week. Clients can book appointments in seven shifts spread across weekday evenings, daytime hours, and Saturdays.
To schedule an appointment, call the 2-1-1 Helpline and press option '3' and then '6.' You can also book an appointment online by visiting the 2-1-1 Website or by visiting Middletown's Russell Library, where a staff member can assist you in booking an appointment.
"VITA is such an important resource for our community," said Shawonda S. Swain, President & CEO of Middlesex United Way. "Not everyone can afford to hire someone to prepare their taxes, especially our ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) population. This type of service helps level the playing field and we are so grateful to the volunteers that make it possible."
The Middlesex VITA Coalition has been offering tax assistance to Middlesex County residents since 2009. According to Linda Ring, Volunteer Coordinator and a longtime Middlesex VITA volunteer, there are between 40-50 volunteers this year. That number will allow for the Coalition to work with up to 800 clients during the 11-week tax season.
"We take pride in the fact we helped over 600 clients last year file their taxes and returned nearly a million dollars in refunds back to the community," said Tom Salimeno, Chair of the Middlesex VITA Coalition, adding "our volunteers work hard to get our clients the maximum refund possible.”
If you'd like to volunteer to assist with next year's VITA program, you can reach out to the Middlesex VITA Coalition directly at Middletown.VITA@gmail.com..
VITA is a free program offered by the federal government. Local Middletown sites are coordinated by the Middlesex VITA Coalition, a partnership of the Middlesex United Way, Russell Library, MARC Community Resources, St. Vincent de Paul Middletown, and made possible by volunteers. The Middlesex VITA Coalition receives support from the Connecticut Association of Human Services (CAHS).
