EMAA offers free tax preparation

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) through East Missouri Action Agency can prepare and e-file qualified filers’ taxes for free.

If you earn under $40,000 for married filers and under $29,000 for single filers, you may be able to get free tax filing help through the IRS-sponsored VITA program. This program can provide fast electronic tax filing. Community volunteers receive IRS training to assist individuals with tax returns. Call you local East Missouri Action Agency outreach office for help with your tax returns.

The VITA program offers free tax help to people whose incomes fall within the guidelines. Volunteers receive training from IRS on how to prepare basic returns, and they must pass the IRS Certification Test. East Missouri Action Agency sponsors the VITA program in all of eight of the county outreach offices.

Items you will need in order to have your taxes prepared:

-Valid photo I.D. for all taxpayers

-Copy of 2014 tax return

-Social Security cards for you, your spouse, and all dependents listed on the return, and birthdates for all 

-Income documentation including:

  -W-2 forms from all jobs worked in 2014

  -All 1099 forms showing other income received in 2014

  -A blank cancelled check for direct deposit of your refund

-Health Insurance documentation

  -All letter/notices from Health Insurance Marketplace and/or from insurance company to verify coverage for 2014.

  -If you qualified for an exemption, you must have the exemption number. If you do not know it, you must call the marketplace at 1-800-318-2596 to get that number.

If any of the following apply to you, take documentation with you.

-Child care expenses, including the provider’s address and federal ID#

-Mortgage company statements

-Adoption expenses

-Alimony received

-Any notices received from the IRS or state tax office

-Property tax bills

-College tuition and student loan interest statements from college

-Additional forms of income such as:

  -Prizes and awards

  -Scholarships and fellowships

  -Lottery/gambling winnings

Contact your local EMAA VITA site for the free services. We encourage all elderly and low-income citizens to call the local EMAA Outreach office to find out more details about these free services. The program began January 26, 2015 and ends April 15, 2015, so don’t wait, come on in now.

                                EMAA Outreach Offices

Bollinger County–205 Plutarch St, Marble Hill, MO 63764–573-238-4220

Iron County–321 Knob St, Ironton, MO 63650–573-546-3191

Madison Counrty–18 Court Square, Fredericktown, MO 63645–573-783-5226