Mayor Greg Fischer, Louisville Asset Building Coalition and AARP  announced the opening of free tax preparation sites yesterday, starting as of Monday, Jan. 23, that will provide federal and state income tax assistance to eligible residents.

“Every hard-working Louisvillian should be able to benefit from all tax credits that apply to them, and by offering this free assistance we can make sure that happens,” said Mayor Greg Fischer. “This is money they can use to start a savings account, buy a car, get braces for a child, pay for books and college tuition — or start a college tuition fund for their children. It’s huge for that family and huge for our community.”

Metro Councilwoman Cindi Fowler of District 14 is a longtime VITA volunteer and champion of the program.

“I have greatly enjoyed the nine years I have spent with VITA to help families prepare their tax returns,” Fowler said. “We work hard to ensure that we are maximizing their returns, allowing them to reinvest that money locally and boost our economy.”

Louisville Asset Building Coalition’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, or VITA, and AARP Tax Aide programs utilize trained, IRS-certified volunteers who offer free tax services at more than 20 free sites across the city. The free service is available to individuals and families who earned less than $64,000 in 2016.

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.

Starting Monday, the VITA free tax preparation sites are located at:

• Americana Community Center, 4801 Southside Dr.
• Bates Community Development Center, 1228 S. Jackson St.
• Louisville Urban League, 1535 W. Broadway St.
• Portland Promise Center, 1831 Baird St.
• Salt & Light Community Development Center, 3025 B Gerald Dr.
• Sun Valley Community Center, 6505 Bethany Lane
• Wesley House Community Services, 5114 Preston Highway

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

Also visit the website at https://www.labcservices.org/index.php/free-tax-filing-at-labc-services for information about a free service for those interested in filing their own taxes online. Starting Monday, 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
• Shively Municipal Building, 3920 Dixie Highway
• Southwest Government Center, 7219 Dixie Highway

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

VITA and AARP volunteers will 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, as is the amount of your credit.  Working families who earn about $53,000 or less may be eligible, with average credits last year more than $2,400.

Collectively, tax refunds filed by Louisville residents last year through the VITA campaign and AARP sites processed over 20,000 returns, adding over $19 million to the local economy, including more than $6 million in Earned Income Credits to residents.

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 2015 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
• 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.