Free Tax Preparation Available in Gaitherburg

From the City of Gaithersburg: The annual Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, a partnership of the City of Gaithersburg, the Montgomery County Community Action Agency and Family Services, Inc., is now open in Gaithersburg and accepting appointments to prepare 2016 taxes. The VITA program offers free tax preparation assistance to low- and moderate-income individuals who earn less than $54,000 per year. Preparation is done by IRS-trained volunteers who assist taxpayers in determining if they are eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit. Services are offered in both English and Spanish.

In Gaithersburg, the VITA program is marketed under Bank On Gaithersburg, an initiative to draw unbanked and underbanked individuals into the financial mainstream. Staff from participating financial institutions will be on-site to provide information about free financial education programs and to open accounts for those interested in direct deposit of their refunds. Individuals can also choose to open a savings account and save with a U.S. Savings Bond. A Certified Acceptance Agent can assist in obtaining Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITINs). Those visiting the VITA site can also enroll in the Gaithersburg Financial Fitness Challenge, a program that offers incentives to qualified individuals for achieving certain financial milestones. For more information on the Bank On program visit the City of Gaithersburg Community Services page at www.gaithersburgmd.gov.

To ensure that all of the taxpayer’s needs are being met, volunteers will offer referral information to food, clothing and housing assistance. Hunger Solutions staff will also be on hand to help qualified people sign up for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Navigators for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) program can also assist in completing applications.

The Gaithersburg VITA site, located at 630 East Diamond Avenue, is open for appointment holders on Mondays from 2 to 8 p.m. through April 10. To make an appointment, call 240-777-1123 weekdays between 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. (calls received after 5:30 p.m. will be returned the next business day) or visit www.montgomerycountymd.gov/freetaxhelp.

Those qualifying for VITA tax preparation may also choose to attend Super VITA Day, March 25, 2017, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Activity Center at Bohrer Park, 506 South Frederick Avenue (next to Gaithersburg High School). No appointment is needed. Preparers will be on hand to complete tax filings, the BB&T Bank Bus will be on-site to pull credit reports and open accounts and community service resource information will also be available.

Additional VITA sites are located in Rockville, Silver Spring and Wheaton. For more information on these locations, please call the Montgomery County Information Line at 311 or visit www.montgomerycountymd.gov/311.

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