Elderly, low-income taxpayers get help

Internal Revenue Service information

Volunteer tax preparers have had an impact on local taxpayers, as well as across the nation.

U.S. taxpayers filed more than 145 million federal individual income tax returns in 2015, and, thanks to supporters of the Internal Revenue Service’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs, some 3.7 million of those tax returns nationwide — including approximately 100 in Van Wert County — were prepared at no cost to seniors and people with low-to-moderate incomes.

VITA and TCE volunteers come from all walks of life and backgrounds. No prior experience is needed — volunteers receive specialized training and can serve in a variety of roles.

VITA/TCE is a way to stay current with U.S. tax law and put that knowledge to use for others. It offers accounting and business students real-world experience. VITA/TCE is friends and neighbors helping friends and neighbors.

Those people seeking a unique way to make a positive difference in their community should consider VITA/TCE. To learn more, visit IRS.gov and type “tax volunteer” in the search box.