Southeastern Vermont Community Action volunteers Anne Day, left, Laura Rosenthal, center, and Jennifer Lynn conduct a mock interview at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in White River Junction while training last year to help low- to moderate-income taxpayers prepare the tax forms. SEVCA is recruiting volunteer tax preparers for the upcoming tax season, which runs from January to April. No tax preparation experience is necessary and training is provided. Prospective volunteers should attend an orientation on Nov. 16, at 1 p.m. or 5 p.m., in the conference room at Kilton Library, 80 Main St., Lebanon. For more information, contact Susan Brace, tax program coordinator, at 802-722-4575, ext. 199, or sbrace@sevca.org. Susan Brace photograph
Southeastern Vermont Community Action volunteers Anne Day, left, Laura Rosenthal, center, and Jennifer Lynn conduct a mock interview at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in White River Junction while training last year to help low- to moderate-income taxpayers prepare the tax forms. SEVCA is recruiting volunteer tax preparers for the upcoming tax season, which runs from January to April. No tax preparation experience is necessary and training is provided. Prospective volunteers should attend an orientation on Nov. 16, at 1 p.m. or 5 p.m., in the conference room at Kilton Library, 80 Main St., Lebanon. For more information, contact Susan Brace, tax program coordinator, at 802-722-4575, ext. 199, or sbrace@sevca.org. Susan Brace photograph Credit: file photograph

A host of volunteers from around the Upper Valley are gearing up to help local residents prepare and file their taxes on time, despite the ongoing partial government shutdown.

Two major volunteer tax preparation programs operate in the region. The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program is operated by the Internal Revenue Service and generally serves people who are elderly, disabled or make less than $54,000. During the government shutdown, the program will happen as normal, said Susan Whittemore, coordinator of the Windsor Connection Resource Center, which hosts the VITA program.

“We’ll be going on here,” she said. “We already have the dates in the calendar.”

Cary Gladstone helps coordinate the VITA program in New Hampshire as part of his job with the Granite State United Way. He said — for now — the program is going ahead as planned.

“We are proceeding with caution,” he said, explaining that the IRS announced it will begin accepting returns on Jan. 28. “We’re taking them at that word, and until something changes we are going ahead with the opening of our VITA sites.”

In addition to the VITA program, the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program offers free tax preparation help to low- and moderate-income individuals of all ages. Vickie Lucius, coordinator of the program in Windsor County, said the individuals who volunteer really help their neighbors.

“Volunteers make a difference in their communities by assisting many older, lower-income taxpayers and their families,” she said. “Our group of volunteers come from a diversified background proving with the right project we can all work as a team to help others. There is no greater reward than the appreciation you receive from the clients.”

This year volunteer tax preparers are getting extra training because of the changes to the tax code that are taking effect. Although people might be expecting a bigger refund, Gladstone said that cuts to dependent deductions could offset increases to the standard deduction, meaning that some people might see a smaller tax return or even owe the IRS.

“We’ve been trying to really work with the tax law changes and really understanding them and being able to articulate them to the low- to moderate-income people that we serve,” he said. “We want to help people understand what their options are.”

Taxes are still due on April 15, even if the government is shut down. Although the IRS initially said refunds would not be issued during the shutdown, it recently announced that a contingency plan is in place and refunds will be processed. However, there could be delays due to staff shortages at the agency.

Still, Upper Valley volunteers are waiting to help residents prepare their taxes. Most tax-assistance programs begin next week but are booking appointments now. Here are some of the local options for free volunteer tax prep. Appointments are required.

AARP Tax-Aide Program

Ascutney: Martin Memorial Hall, 5259 Route 5; Tuesdays beginning at 9 a.m.; call 802-885-3933.

Bellows Falls, Vt.: Senior Center, 18 Tuttle St.; Mondays and Wednesdays beginning at 9 a.m.; call 802-463-3907.

Chester, Vt.: American Legion, Post 67, 637 Route 103; Mondays beginning at 10 a.m.; call 802-463-1985.

Hartford: Hartford Town Hall, 171 Bridge St., White River Junction; Wednesdays and Fridays from 8:45 a.m.–2:30 p.m.; call 211 from New Hampshire during normal business hours, or call 1-866-444-4211 from Vermont.

Lebanon: Upper Valley Senior Center, 10 Campbell St.; Tuesdays; call 603-448-4213.

Londonderry, N.H.: Neighborhood Connections, 5700 Route 100; Tuesdays at noon; call 802-824-4343.

Woodstock: Thompson Senior Center, 99 Senior Lane; Mondays 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Call 802-457-3277.

Springfield, Vt.: Springfield Senior Center, 139 Main St.; Mondays and Tuesdays beginning at 9 a.m.; call 802-885-3933. Springfield Library, 43 Main St.; Mondays and Thursdays Starting at 9:45 a.m.; call 802-885-3108.

VITA Program

Corinth: Blake Memorial Library, 676 Village Road; call 802-291-0525.

White River Junction: St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 749 Hartford Ave.; call 866-444-4211 or visit nhtaxhelp.org.

Windsor: Windsor Connection Resource Center, 749 Hartford Ave.; call 802-674-2900.