Free tax preparation, assistance program offered in Coosa County
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By Christa Jennings
Senior Staff Writer
Once again a free tax preparation and assistance program will be available to Coosa County residents filing their tax returns this year.
Sponsored by the Coosa County Extension Office and Coosa County Chamber of Commerce, along with Volunteer Connections of Central Alabama, the program kicks off Wednesday, February 8. The service will be available at the Rockford United Methodist Church building, located at 9922 U.S. Highway 231 in Rockford.
Volunteer Connections of Central Alabama provides these tax services free of charge. Based in Alexander City, the organization also services Coosa County residents.
The tax preparers are IRS-certified and trained individuals who will provide free tax assistance and electronic filing of federal and state income tax forms.
Coosa County Extension Coordinator Sharon Haynes stated that this is a free program that can save residents the fees they usually pay for tax preparation services.
Every Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Coosa residents can visit the tax preparation location to have their taxes prepared. There is no cost to anyone who wants to have their 2022 taxes prepared and filed.
This service will be available at the Rockford Methodist Church building each Wednesday through April 12.
If an individual’s or household’s income is $60,000 or less, or if they are 60 years and older with any income, they can file their taxes through Volunteer Connections.
Information required by the IRS that must be brought to the tax site includes last year’s tax return; photo ID for taxpayer and spouse; Social Security cards for taxpayers and any dependents; W-2s and 1099s B, R, and SSA; and employed taxpayers should also bring a copy of their year-end pay stub.
Additionally, those who received a stimulus check are asked to enter that information on the itemized deduction sheet and bring the IRS form 6475 with them. Those who received advanced child credit should also bring IRS form 6419 with them to the site, as that information is required to complete the tax returns.
When applicable through the Affordable Care Act, those who has health insurance through the government marketplace should also bring their 1095-A form that the government will send to them.
Individuals can also bring itemized deduction lists and all the documentation applicable to them. Individuals who do not itemize on their federal taxes may be able to do so on their state returns.
Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments will have priority for this free tax service. Individuals are asked to call VCCA in Alexander City at 256-234-0347 to make an appointment for the Rockford location.
Visits will only take about 20 minutes as this is a drop-off service only. Individuals will be called to sign and pick up their completed returns, and once this is completed, the federal and state income tax forms will be electronically filed.
Anyone who has any questions or needs additional information is asked to call the Coosa County Extension Office at 256-975-0089 or 256-377-4713.