Tax Help is Here

In 2011, there was an extra $4,680,084 circulating around the Montgomery County economy. Did you get a piece of that?

You did if you had your taxes prepared through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. That seven-digit figure is the total dollar amount of tax refunds the program brought to Montgomery County residents.  

For the past 11 years, community organizations throughout the county have come together each tax season to form the Montgomery County Tax Coalition (MCTC). MCTC enables the VITA program to help residents making less than $50,000 file their taxes for free with the help of trained volunteers.

Without the free services of VITA, some residents might otherwise spend $200 or more to have their taxes figured and submitted to the IRS. has been involved with the VITA program since its beginnings in Montgomery County in 2001.

VITA volunteers are certified by the IRS by attending free classes held at Temple Ambler and Montgomery County Community College campuses in the fall. Volunteers could also use Link and Learn, an online IRS tool, to become familiar with the tax code.

The CADCOM VITA site (at 113 East Main Street) will be open through April 17. Hours are Monday through Thursday, 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m. to noon. To make an appointment, call 610-277-6363, ext. 115.

What to Bring When Having Your Taxes Prepared by VITA

• W-2s and other wage statements that you and spouse receive from every employer for the previous year.
• Social Security cards for yourself and everyone in the household that you support including your spouse, children, grandfather, relatives and foster children.
• The date of birth for all people you are claiming as dependents.
• Your driver's license or other state-issued photo ID card for yourself and your spouse.
• Last year's tax return, if you have it, as well as any additional items (such as mortgage statements).
• All pay-stubs from the past month (not necessary for tax preparation, but may bring in more money to your family through public benefits).
• Any 1099 forms that you have received for the current tax year. You may receive a 1099 form if you have received income from Social Security, railroad retirement, unemployment, interest, work where you did not pay any income taxes or Dividend Income.
• If you paid day care expenses in the past year, bring your co-pay statement or billing statement for the previous year, including the social security number or EIN of your day care provider, the day care provider's name, and the day care's address.
• If you received any Advance Child Tax Credit payment in the previous year, please bring in Notice 1319, showing proof of the amount received.
• If you paid for higher education, such as college or a trade school, please bring in the form 1098-T showing evidence of payment.
• If you would like to get your refund by direct deposit, bring a blank check from your bank account.
• If filing jointly, both filer and spouse must be present to sign.

MCTC has finished its VITA recruitment for the 2012 tax season, but those interested in volunteering next tax season visit www.mctaxcoalition.com for more information.