SOUTH ROYALTON — For the second year in a row Vermont Law and Graduate School students will be available to assist Upper Valley residents who make less than $69,000 a year file their taxes for free.
The service is offered through the Internal Revenue Service’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, a national initiative known as VITA that provides free tax filing services to low-to-moderate income taxpayers.
“I think it’s an important resource because a lot of people don’t know the benefits they’re entitled to,” said Pamela Cartier, a librarian at the Community Legal Information Center at Vermont Law and Graduate School in South Royalton. Cartier is coordinating the program along with Melissa Kalinen, access services and interlibrary loan specialist.
The program has around 10 student volunteers. Last year, they helped more than 70 people from Vermont and New Hampshire file their federal and state taxes, Cartier said. Their demographics ran the gamut from students to older adults. It was particularly gratifying to assist single mothers who were not aware of the IRS’ Child Tax Credit program, which provides tax breaks to families with children.
“They walked out with $7,000, $8,000 dollars that they needed as single parents to help care for their children,” Cartier said. “That’s always really nice.”
Appointments, which started this week and will end April 15, are available on Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning at 4 p.m., and on Saturdays beginning at 9 a.m. People must call 802-831-1363 to schedule appointments in advance. Cartier encouraged those who are not sure if they qualify to call and talk to a representative who can assist them.
Upper Valley VITA sites
Randolph: Capstone Community Action, 12 Price St. Appointments available Mondays and Wednesdays 4 to 7 p.m. from Feb. 2 through April 13. Call 802-477-2148 to schedule.
South Royalton: Vermont Law and Graduate School, 164 Chelsea St. Appointments available on Tuesdays and Thursdays 4 to 7 p.m., and on Saturdays 9 a.m. to noon, from Jan. 31 through April 14. Call 802-831-1363 to schedule.
AARP Foundation tax assistance sites in the Upper Valley
Here’s a list of sites where AARP Foundation Tax-Aide volunteers are available to meet with people from early February through early April. Visit aarp.org/money/taxes/aarp-taxaide/locations for more information. While AARP’s program is aimed at helping low-to-moderate income older adults, people of all ages are welcome to call for appointments.
Ascutney: Weathersfield Proctor Library, 5181 Route 5. Appointments available Tuesdays from 8:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Feb. 3 through April 7. Call 802-875-2418 to schedule.
Bradford, Vt.: Orange East Senior Center, 176 Waits River Road. Appointments available Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Feb. 4 through April 14. Call 802-763-0639 to schedule.
Claremont: Claremont Senior Center, 5 Acer Heights Road. Appointments available Fridays, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Feb. 6 through April 10. Call 802-345-5415 to schedule.
Lebanon: Upper Valley Senior Center, 10 Campbell St. Appointments available Tuesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Feb. 3 through April 7. Call 603-448-4213 to schedule.
New London: Whipple Hall, 25 Seamans Road. Appointments available Mondays and Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (excluding Feb. 16 and March 9), Feb. 2 through April 13. Call 802-281-3608 to schedule.
Newport: Newport Senior Center, 76 S. Main St. Appointments available Thursdays 8:15 a.m. to 2 p.m., Feb. 4 through April 9. Call 603-863-3177 to schedule.
Randolph: Randolph Senior Center, 6 Hale St. Appointments available Fridays 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Feb. 13 through April 10. Call 802-728-9324 to schedule.
White River Junction: St Paul’s Episcopal Church, 749 Hartford Ave. Appointments available Thursdays and Fridays, 8:45 a.m. to 4 p.m., Feb. 5 through April 10. Call 866-444-4211 to schedule.
Woodstock: Thompson Center (Woodstock Council on Aging), 99 Senior Lane. Appointments available Mondays, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Feb. 2 through April 13. Call 802-457-3277 to schedule.
Email additions and updates to calendar@vnews.com.