United Way brings free tax preparation service to Warwick this Saturday

Posted 2/16/17

To help low- and middle-income workers prepare their income tax returns and ensure they receive the tax credits and refunds they're due, United Way of Rhode Island (UWRI) is bringing the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Initiative back to Warwick

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United Way brings free tax preparation service to Warwick this Saturday

Posted

To help low- and middle-income workers prepare their income tax returns and ensure they receive the tax credits and refunds they’re due, United Way of Rhode Island (UWRI) is bringing the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Initiative back to Warwick on Saturday, February 18. 

Through VITA, eligible Rhode Islanders earning $55,000 or less annually can have their federal and state income tax returns prepared for free by trained, IRS-certified volunteers. To reach more Rhode Islanders who would benefit from the IRS community service program, UWRI has been taking VITA on the road using its 2-1-1 Outreach RV. The 2-1-1 Outreach RV will host a pop-up event in the parking lot of the Warwick Stop & Shop at 575 Greenwich Avenue from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on February 18.

Those interested in attending must call 2-1-1 to make an appointment, meet the program’s eligibility requirements, and bring with them the required documents listed below.

Taxpayers attending a VITA site must bring: Social Security Card(s) for self, spouse and all dependents; picture ID for self and spouse (if applicable); proof of health insurance coverage; all 2016 W-2, 1099 and 1095-A forms; copy of 2015 Federal Tax Return if available; child and dependent care expenses and Tax Identification Number (SSN, EIN) of care provider; and check or savings account number with routing number for direct deposit.

Along with UWRI’s mobile tax preparation events, its VITA efforts feature 20 community agency sites across the state, each certified by the IRS. At each site, trained volunteers help taxpayers complete their income tax returns, many offering services in both English and Spanish. Returns may also be filed electronically to expedite the return of refunds. Rhode Islanders unable to attend the mobile event may call 2-1-1 to find a program site closest to them and schedule an appointment.

Last year, through VITA, Rhode Islanders filed 10,385 federal and 13,830 state income tax returns, returning more than $16.5 million to working families and individuals through the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and refunds they were due. VITA sites are funded by United Way of RI in partnership with Citizens Bank.

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