United Way to conduct free tax-a-thon

BOYNTON BEACH — Through its Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program, United Way of Palm Beach County will hold a VITA Tax-A-Thon Finale on April 15 – the last day to file income taxes. The VITA Program provides free income tax-preparation service to households earning $42,000 or less. The concept behind the Tax-A-Thon is to help last minute tax-filers.

The Tax-A-Thon will take place at six of United Way’s VITA sites on April 15, including one opened especially for the day at the Internal Revenue Service office in West Palm Beach. The IRS is a partner in United Way’s VITA Program.

The six VITA sites open on April 15 are located in Lake Worth, Riviera Beach, and West Palm Beach. Hours at the site vary, with some offering day and evening .

Those having their taxes prepared at a VITA site should bring the following with them:

Last year’s Federal Income Tax Return (2007 income tax return)
Social Security Cards for you, your spouse (if married), and all dependents
Correct birth dates for all names that appear on the return
All W-2s for 2008, including spouses
Form 1098 – Mortgage interest, property taxes
Form 1099- DIV, G, INT, MISC, Q, R, RRB, SSA for 2008
Voided check and savings account number for direct deposit of your refund (This is optional, but it gets your cash to you fast)
A Photo ID card (drivers license, etc.), including spouse’s, if married and filing joint returns
For dependent care credit, bring care provider’s name, address, SSN/EIN, and amount you paid
For education credits, bring 1098T or 1098E and amount paid for qualified expenses

If married and filing a joint return, both spouses must come to the VITA site. VITA volunteers cannot prepare Schedules C, D, E or returns claiming Employee Business Expenses, Moving Expenses, Nondeductible IRAs or Minor’s Investment Income.

Anyone meeting the household income requirement of $42,000 or less can go to one of the following VITA sites to have their taxes prepared for free:

In January, United Way of Palm Beach County opened 20 VITA sites throughout the county – from Boca Raton to Jupiter, and west in Belle Glade and Pahokee. Most of those sites will close between April 11 and 14. The only United Way VITA sites open on April 15 are those participating in the tax-a-thon..

To find the nearest location to you, call 2-1-1 or visit the United Way website and click on the "Taxes Done Free" icon on the right side of the home page.

United Way reports that so far this year, they have processed more than 8,000 returns, and have helped local taxpayers received more than $13.5 million in refunds, including over $5.3 million in Earned Income Tax Credit.