Free Tax Preparation For Residents Available In Louisville

Mayor Greg Fischer, Metro Council members and other leaders today announced the opening of free tax preparation sites across Louisville that will provide federal and state income tax assistance to eligible residents.

Louisville Asset Building Coalition’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, or VITA, and AARP Tax Aide programs provide trained, IRS-certified volunteers to offer free tax services at more than 20 sites across the city. The service is available to individuals and families who earned less than $64,000 in 2017.

VITA and AARP volunteers will also help determine if residents are eligible for the EITC (Earned Income Tax Credit), a refundable federal tax credit for low- and middle-income working individuals and families. Eligibility for the EITC is based on income, the number of family members and other criteria, such as the amount of a families’ credit. Working families who earn about $53,000 or less may be eligible, with average credits last year more than $2,400.

“For many working families, free help with taxes and guidance in qualifying for the EITC can be a game-changer,” Mayor Greg Fischer said. “That’s money that can go toward buying or fixing a car, paying tuition, paying off bills or making long-deferred household purchases.”

Last year, the VITA campaign and Louisville AARP sites processed more than 14,000 returns, adding more than $19.7 million to the local economy, including nearly $6 million in Earned Income Credits to residents.

Appointments are recommended for VITA free tax assistance service and can be made now by calling (502) 305-0005 or scheduling online at https://louisvillekyvita.cascheduler.com.

The VITA free tax preparation sites are located at:

• Americana Community Center, 4801 Southside Dr.
• Bates Community Development, 1228 Jackson St.
• Bridges of Hope Neighborhood Place, 1411 Algonquin Pkwy. (Self-file only beginning Jan. 29)
• Edison Center , 701 W. Ormsby Ave., Suite 201
• First Neighborhood Place, 1503 Rangeland Road
• Louisville Urban League, 1535 W. Broadway
• Nia Center, 2900 W. Broadway
• Portland Promise Center, 1831 Baird St.
• Salt and Light Community Development, 3025 Gerald Dr.
• Sun Valley Community Center, 6505 Bethany Lane
• United Crescent Hill Ministries, 150 State St.
• Wesley House Community Services – 5114 Preston Hwy.

For a complete list of VITA locations, including mobile sites, as well as hours of operation, visit http://labcservices.org call Metro United Way’s 211 help referral service.

Also visit the website at  information about a free service for those interested in filing their own taxes online. Starting Jan. 29, two software packages — MyFreeTaxes and Turbo Tax Freedom Edition — will be available for those who meet eligibility.

In addition to the VITA sites, AARP Tax Aide’s mission is to serve any person comes through the door, with special attention to those 60 and older.

AARP sites will open Feb. 1 at the following locations:

• Buechel Park Baptist Church, 2403 Hikes Lane
• Central Government Center, 7201 Outer Loop
• Clifton Christian Church, 131 Vernon Ave.
• East Government Center, 200 Juneau Dr.
• Iroquois Branch Library, 601 W Woodlawn Ave.
• Jeffersontown Senior Center, 10631 Watterson Trail
• Lyndon Baptist Church, 8025 New LaGrange Rd.
• Portland Branch Library, 3305 Northwestern Parkway
• Southwest Government Center, 7219 Dixie Hwy.

For a full AARP schedule and listing, including mobile sites, visit http://www.aarp-tax-aide-lou.org or call (502) 394-3443.

To help preparers accurately determine EITC eligibility and prepare returns, individuals should bring:

• Picture ID and Social Security cards for everyone listed on the return
• Copy of 2016 tax return with all attachments and schedules
• W-2s and 1099s from your employers
• Other 1099s for interest, dividends, state tax refund or other income
• 1095 for health insurance
• 1098 for education credit, plus detailed financial statement from the school
• Bank account number and routing number for direct deposit as well as savings account number (if applicable)
• Child care information, including Provider ID and actual amounts paid
• Summarized list of other income/expenses for those who itemize or are self-employed
• Additional tax information that may be required

Visit http://labcservices.org/ or http://www.aarp-tax-aide-lou.org for more information about the required documentation.

The work of the Louisville Asset Building Coalition and the AARP Tax Assistance Program is made possible by Metro United Way, Louisville Metro Government, the IRS, the AARP Tax-Aide Foundation and dozens of other partners.