United Way offers free tax help

DOVER (WJER) (January 31, 2022) – Tuscarawas County residents can get free help with their taxes through the United Way.

This is the first week income-qualifying individuals can schedule appointments with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program, or VITA.

Site Coordinator Jack Dooling says trained volunteers will prepare taxes for single filers making less than $60,000 a year, or joint filers making less than $90,000.

“We’ve got roughly about 20 volunteers who have been IRS trained to do this,” he said. “All of our tax preparers are at … the advanced level. They have to take IRS tests annually in order to qualify to do that tax preparing.”

Dooling says volunteers will help filers find overlooked tax credits and avoid paying to have their taxes done.

“United Way really wanted to find a direct service that could be relatable to people and put money back into the community,” he said. “This is a great way to put money back into the community without asking people for money. Instead of asking people for money to fund something, we’re actually providing a service that saves them money.”

Because of pandemic restrictions, VITA will minimize interactions and schedule drop off appointments on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Dover location and Wednesdays at the Newcomerstown location of the DoverPhila Federal Credit Union. Appointments can be made by calling 211 or visiting tuscunitedway.org.

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