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Pima County and the United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona will begin offering free and expedited tax preparation assistance to community members this week.
Valet VITA program is Pima County’s Community & Workforce Development Department and the united way Beginning in 2016, it is available to families and individuals with an annual income up to $73,000. This collaboration is part of the larger Voluntary Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offered by United Way.
The Pima County Housing Center hosts a free Income Tax Assistance Program where local residents can have an expert walk them through the filing process.
What makes the Valet VITA different is how quickly the process happens. Customers bring their documents in for review and scanning. Usually he is a 30 minute process. In two to three weeks, an IRS-certified volunteer tax return preparer will complete your tax return.
Once the tax return is ready, the taxpayer will review and approve it via text message or email. After that, United Way will file both federal and state returns for free.
Tax Assistance is available Thursdays, February 9 through March 30, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at Kino One Stop, 2797 E. Ajo Way, Pima County. Walk-in support is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
“Valet VITA is for busy people who don’t have time to wait in line at traditional VITA tax preparation sites and can wait weeks for their tax returns to be completed,” said Bonnie Bazata, who oversees the Valet VITA program in Pima County. , said: “VITA saves most taxpayers an average of $300 and helps individuals maximize their earned income and childcare tax credits. It is money that is spent.”
In addition to tax assistance, Pima County offers classes that show residents how to prepare their own tax returns. These classes will also be held at Kino One Stop on February 9th, March 2nd and March 15th from 5:30-7:30pm.
Curtis Stokelin of Pima County has been using Valet VITA every year since the program began. He said he plans to do so again this season.
“It’s easy, free, and fast,” says Stokelin. “You should try it.”
Also, get information about employment assistance and training programs while you’re in one stop. Rent and Utilities Assistance; PEEPS Preschool Scholarship; more.
To participate in Valet VITA, residents must bring:
- Photo ID of the taxpayer and spouse; both spouses must be present to sign the document.
- A social security card for each family member.
- Proof of Income including W-2 and 1099;
- Account number and routing number for direct deposit of refunds. If you don’t have a bank account, you can open one with this program.
- Where applicable, Forms 5498-SA and 1099-SA for Health Savings Accounts and Form 1095A for Affordable Care Act
Taxpayers without the required documents cannot be assisted.
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