Households with incomes under $64,000 are eligible to participate
CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER
COLUMBUS — For over 10 years, Goodwill has partnered with the IRS to provide free tax preparation services for the community. The program, often referred to as VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance), recruits and trains volunteers to prepare free tax returns for house-holds that earn less than $64,000 annually.
In addition to the current year’s tax preparation, Goodwill can also prepare tax returns and amendments for previous years.
Goodwill will file tax returns now through the end of tax season on April 15. Current year tax returns will be prepared during tax season, while prior year tax returns and amendments will be completed by appointment after May 2024.
Goodwill’s support for taxpayers extends beyond the filing process. In the event of an audit or the need for amendments, Goodwill stands ready to assist clients throughout the process.
Goodwill offers a variety of convenient methods for free tax filing this season. Options include traditional in-person appointments, quick and easy drop-off appointments and virtual filing. This tax season, unscheduled walk-ins will not be accommodated.
To schedule an appointment, visit www.goodwillsr.org/vita or call any one of our convenient locations listed below.
Free tax services will be available at the following Goodwill locations:
- Opelika: (334) 275-4815
- Phenix City: (334) 664-9716
- Columbus Midtown: (706) 256-1837
Documents needed for tax filing include: - Social security cards for yourself and all dependents
- W-2s for each job held in 2023 for each person in the household
- Photo ID
- Health insurance form 1095 A/B/C
- Form 6419 (letter defining your advanced child tax credit, if applicable)
- Form 1098 (mortgage statement, if applicable)
- Form 1444-C (statement for Economic Impact Payment #3, if applicable)
- Childcare expenses
- Last year’s tax returns
- Bank account information (for direct deposit)
Visit www.goodwillsr.org/vita for more information about available filing options.
ABOUT GOODWILL SOUTHERN RIVERS
Goodwill Industries of the Southern Rivers (GoodwillSR) is one of 154 independent, community-based Goodwill nonprofits across the United States and Canada. Headquartered in Columbus, Georgia, GoodwillSR serves 50 counties throughout east Alabama and west Georgia. We provide employment readiness training, computer access, educational assistance, skills workshops, and more to spur job placement and economic stability in the communities we serve. We can provide these and other programs thanks to the continued donations of giving patrons. We use the revenue generated in GoodwillSR stores to fund the majority of our community services. For more information about Goodwill Industries of the Southern Rivers, visit www.goodwillsr.org.