United Way of Hancock County will once again facilitate free tax preparation services for qualifying members of the community.

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program will be administered in early 2023, offering free tax preparation services for individuals who live in Hancock County and whose household income is $60,000 or less annually. Priority will be given to those over age 60; individuals who speak English as a secondary language; and adults who have disabilities.

United Way is partnering with 50 North and the Findlay-Hancock County Public Library to offer the free tax preparation service at their sites. The taxes will be filed electronically by trained VITA tax volunteers.

Beginning Jan. 17, community members may call the United Way office at 567-250-1955 to schedule their appointment for the VITA program. Callers will be asked a series of questions and will be informed of the items they must bring to their tax preparation appointment.

The number of appointments the program can accommodate this year is limited. Several other free tax services, however, will be available:

• MyFreeTaxes.com: This United Way-sponsored program is a free, online, self-filing system offered in partnership with the IRS for households that earn under $73,000 annually. The website is self-guided, with prompts to help taxpayers complete their state and federal filings.
• Tax Filing Workshops: The opportunity to file taxes yourself in a small group with a trained VITA volunteer who will provide guidance will also be available.

The Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation has provided a grant for partial support of the VITA program.

The United Way is seeking donations of new and used technology as it prepares to reinstate the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program in 2023. Get more on that by clicking here.