The no cost, full-service VITA Tax-Aide program returns to Darien Library this year with a few changes to ensure safety for all.
— an announcement from Darien Library
The service, with special attention to senior and low to moderate income households, includes an easy-to-use virtual filing system that allows users to work with IRS-certified tax preparers from home.
There will be two options to access the service: an all-virtual method whereby clients will provide their information via a secure internet site and an on-site counseling method at the Library.
On-site counseling at Darien Library began on Monday and end on Friday, April 15.
Community members can register for the VITA program and find more information online, here, or call 860-590-8910 to book their appointment in advance. Appointments are required.
In-person appointments will be available on Mondays from 1 to 7 p.m., and Fridays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Patrons will need to bring all of their tax-related documents with them to their appointments wherein IRS-certified volunteers will be entering patrons’ basic information and tax documents into the “Get Your Refund” system. Tax returns will be prepared remotely by trusted IRS-certified Virtual
VITA volunteers and arrangements will be made to deliver the finished return to patrons at a later date.
About Virtual VITA
The VITA Tax-Aide program is the nation’s largest volunteer-run tax assistance and preparation service and is available to all individual filers regardless of income or age.
During the last full filing season, roughly 65,000 IRS-certified volunteers provided this service across the nation at more than 9,000 sites, and 3.5 million taxpayer returns were prepared and filed.
In Connecticut, 52,000 federal returns were processed in addition to an equal number of state returns and amended filings from prior years. Over one thousand were prepared and filed in Darien. Federal refunds of over $550,000 were received by Darien clients; 75% of which were from tax credits for items such as education and earned income.
Since the service started at Darien Library in 2011, the number of local clients helped has grown by double-digit percentages each year, and the library is now one of the largest service sites in Connecticut.