Free professional income tax return help available for those who cannot afford it

Free and confidential tax return preparation, e-filing and direct deposit are available to people who cannot afford professional tax help, such as seniors, disabled, low-income and non-English speaking residents of the Lakes Region.

The service is offered to those with simple returns only, on a walk-in basis from 9 a.m. until noon, every Saturday until April 4 at the Lakes Region Family Center building on Route 106, near the Laconia Bypass. There are also evening hours every Thursday from 5 until 7 p.m. until April 9. A flyer with a list of restrictions and things to bring can be downloaded from www.LRUW.org.

Other available times and locations include Thursday evenings through April 2 for seniors 55 and older at Laconia Senior Center (walk-ins only) and in Franklin at the Franklin Middle School (call 934-3315 for dates and times).

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program is an initiative of the Lakes Region Financial Stability Partnership. The IRS provided volunteers with tax law training, electronic filing software training and all the materials needed to prepare basic individual income tax returns. "VITA volunteers explain many special tax credits and deductions and how people may claim them on their tax returns," Peggy Riley, IRS Spokesperson said. 'These volunteers help individuals complete their returns, right down to any refund that may be due them."

According to Jack Terrill, president of Lakes Region United Way, "Many folks in the low-to-moderate income brackets are eligible for Earned Income Tax Credits and aren't aware of it. In 2004, there was over $1.2-million dollars of unclaimed EIT Credits in Belknap County alone. We need to access these funds so that we can help working families stabilize their finances. The VITA program will provide a great opportunity to make sure we don't leave these dollars on the table."

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program in the Lakes Region is a collaborative effort of the Community Action Program, Casey Family Services, City of Laconia, the IRS, AARP, Laconia Area Community Land Trust, NH Catholic Charities, UNH Cooperative Extension and the Lakes Region United Way.

For questions please contact Torey Kortz (603) 524-6864 Ext. 102.