Volunteers offering free income tax help for some at Chattanooga area sites

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic may change how the process works this year, but local volunteers are still preparing to provide free tax assistance and preparation for thousands of low- and moderate-income individuals or those with disabilities in the Chattanooga area over the next three months.

The Urban League of Greater Chattanooga and its community partners are launching the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program Friday at a dozen area sites to provide free assistance for those filling out their 2020 tax returns. The program is open to individuals and households whose incomes were less than $58,000 last year or to seniors, disabled persons, United Way members or those with limited English speaking skills.

"The VITA program is critical for individuals and families who would otherwise face significant difficulties navigating the tax process," said Candy Johnson, the president and CEO of Chattanooga's Urban League chapter. "We know tax preparation can be very confusing to navigate, particularly for our disadvantaged residents."

The Urban League has been training hundreds of volunteers since last November for the annual tax assistance program, which begins next week at a dozen sites across Southeast Tennessee. Due to the pandemic, those seeking tax help must either make an advance appointment or drop off their tax information, stay in their cars as they drop off forms and return after the volunteer has completed their tax returns. Masks also must be worn by participants in the program when dropping off and picking up all tax forms.

Last year, the local Urban League completed 11,760 tax returns for individuals throughout the area, according to program manager Val Palmer. She estimates that volunteers in 2020 helped local taxpayers save more than $3.8 million and receive more than $14.8 million in refunds and other returns.

"For many Chattanooga families, tax season can feel like a significant financial burden," said Palmer, the local VITA program coordinator. "Our mission in 2021 is to help break down the barriers of this process while adjusting how we operate to make sure our clients, volunteers and staff are safe."

VITA is sponsored by the Internal Revenue Service, the city of Chattanooga, United Way of Greater Chattanooga, the UT Extension Services and Tennessee America Saves.

More information about VITA and a list of filing locations and times is available at www.ulchatt.net/vita-tax-resources or persons may call the Urban League at 423-756-1762, 311 or 211. Additionally, informational tax preparation videos can be found at www.ulchatt.net or on the Chattanooga Urban League's Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Contact Dave Flessner at dflessner@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6340.