Capital Region Group Offers Free Income Tax Assistance

Whether you like it or not, it’s that time of the year, it’s tax time. There's good news for some of us, there are volunteers in the Capital Region that will help make the sting of tax time a little less painful.

Residents in the Capital Region have the good fortune of volunteers who will help with tax preparations and they will do it free of charge.

According to News 10, The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) group will help income-eligible residents in the areas of Albany, Columbia, Greene, Hamilton, Schenectady, Saratoga, Rensselaer, and Schoharie Counties.

The volunteer tax organization is sponsored by the CA$H Coalition of the Greater Capital Region. VITA is working along with the Albany County Executive's Office, the Catholic Charities Tri-County County Services, and the United Way of the Greater Capital Region.

Each year the volunteers, who are IRS certified, help thousands of residents with tax preparation in the Capital Region. Just like everything else though, their services will be a little different this year. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the volunteers will not be able to meet in person, therefore, all appointments will be handled virtually.

The free services will be provided for those who have an income-based need. To find out if you are eligible you can call the United Way’s 211 hotline or go online and visit GetFreeTaxPrep.org.

The year 2020 will probably go down as one of the most financially devastating years in recent memory. Hopefully, the 2020 tax returns will help a lot of US citizens bounce back in a financially stable way.