Tax Assistance: Part of it is Free No Matter Your Income

VITA offers free tax preparation to those making $50,000 or less. Certified volunteers are available to assist low to moderate income families. For the VITA location near you, call 1-800-906-9887.

Also, Anderson Interfaith Ministries is offering free tax assistance for those making $60,000 or less through a program called the Benefit Bank operated out of the SC Office of Rural Health. To find a Benefit Bank location near you, call 1-800-726-8774.

Also, according to the Associated Press, Wal-Mart is teaming up with H&R Block and Jackson-Hewitt to offer free tax preparation of the 1040 EZ federal forms at 3,000 stores nationwide through Feb. 29. Stand-alone H&R Block locations and other companies are offering this same service. Be sure to call your local tax preparer’s office to find out if they are participating.

It's about to get hectic for Janice Lowe, office manager of H & R Block on Clemson Boulevard in Anderson. Lowe says, “We've been fairly busy.” But now that her customers are starting to get their W-2 forms in the mail, they want two things, a fast refund and free services. Lowe says, “I try to tell people don't just come in and see anybody.” 

"7 On Your Side" checked around for you to find some tax freebies. H and R Block, Wal-Mart and Jackson-Hewitt are a few places you might be able to have your 1040 EZ Form prepared for free...regardless of how much or how little you make.

Lowe explains some of the requirements for the free 1040 EZ preparation. She says, “There's not an income level there. It's just that you don't have any other (tax) forms.” Under this offer, Lowe says you can't have any dependents either, and you have to have your taxes done by February 29. But Lowe says you'll still be charged for your state taxes, which at H & R Block runs about $45. 

There are others services that are completely free if you qualify. Lynn Dingle, Marketing Director for Anderson County United Way says, ‘We have a lot of people who are just unable, due to this economy, are just unable to pay to have their taxes filed by a professional tax preparer.” 

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program or VITA is often coordinated through local United Way offices. Officials tell us families or individuals making $50,000 or less can have both their federal and state taxes done for free. 

VITA is so popular in Anderson County that they had to start taking appointments because the lines were so long. Dingle says, “We are seeing people who honestly may not have done their taxes...now get their taxes done for free…so the service is needed in the community.” 

Also, if you don't have a checking account, some tax services offer a free pre-paid, debit card, so people don't have to pay to have their tax refund checks cashed. According to the Associated Press, Wal-mart, H&R Block, and Jackson-Hewitt all offer those pre-paid debit cards.