Kevin Green, right, provides tax counseling and help with filing 2010 tax returns Saturday at the Eastgate Town Center. The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program is targeting at least 5,000 low-income, elderly and disabled Hamilton County taxpayers for help in the next three months at 13 area sites.With higher heating and Christmas bills coming due this month, Keith and Beth Harris were among the first of those filing 2010 tax returns Saturday with the help of volunteer tax preparers.
The refund check and earned income tax credit for the Cleveland, Tenn., family are “something we look forward to every year,” Ms. Harris said.
“Coming right after Christmas, we usually need the money,” she said at the opening of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program at the Eastgate Town Center on Saturday. “I really need this [refund] this year to help me move to Indiana to take care of my grandfather after a death in my family.”
The Harrises are among 5,000 low-income, disabled or elderly taxpayers whom local VITA organizers hope to help file returns and get refunds this year. Over the next three months, 30 IRS-trained volunteers will offer assistance at 13 Hamilton County sites. The service allows taxpayers to file their returns electronically to get refund checks, in most instances, within the next week.
“Our goal is to help get at least $5 million in refunds due to those who come to us for assistance,” said Ron Loving, vice chairman of the Urban League of Greater Chattanooga, which is coordinating the local volunteer tax assistance.