Tax season is upon us and can be a source of stress for many, but for taxpayers who earned less than $54,000 in 2016, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program can help.

VITA offers free tax preparation through a team of trained volunteers, helping to maximize refunds for to those who qualify by income, have a disability, or have limited English language skills.

In 2016, hundreds of Kalamazoo and Calhoun county families had their taxes prepared at no cost through VITA, more than 1,610 in Kalamazoo County alone.

Among them was a single mother of two. Unaware that she was eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit, she had been leaving money on the table for years. Volunteers not only helped her file her 2015 return, but also assisted with amending returns from three previous years to add more than $30,000 to her household income.

She was able to secure basic needs for her family, catching up with rent and daycare payments, repairing her vehicle and purchasing new clothing for her children.

“Individuals who can’t afford to pay for something they’re required to do really need the assistance,” said Cheri Puryear, VITA program director for Kalamazoo County. “It’s taking money away from feeding families or paying their rent or helping to support their families in some way.

“I do not feel that they should have to pay for this service.”

Volunteers still needed

Roughly 25 volunteers worked 1,636 hours in 2016 to help families in Kalamazoo County hold onto more than $2,623,329, and while VITA is already in full swing this tax season, volunteers are still needed.

“Not only are we looking to serve as many people as we can,” Puryear said, “we’re always looking for volunteers looking to help out in any capacity.”

Volunteers are needed for tax preparation, as well as for greeting, clerical and other roles.

“It’s a whole slew of people that we could use,” Puryear said.

Where to go

There are 13 tax preparation sites throughout the Kalamazoo region that are open by appointment only:

• Community of Christ
• Comstock Township Library
• Gryphon Place
• Goodwill Industries
• Kalamazoo Public Library-Central, Eastwood and Oshtemo branches
• Northside Association for Community Development
• Portage Community Center
• Plumber & Pipefitter Local 357
• Schoolcraft Community Library
• Vicksburg District Library
• United Way

To make an appointment, simply dial 2-1-1 to reach United Way’s information and referral line.

Walk-in sites are also available, but as they are limited, service is not guaranteed:

• Heath & Community Services, 3299 Gull Road; Wednesdays through April 12, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Kalamazoo Valley Community College, 6767 West O Ave.; Mondays through April 17, 2-5 p.m. and 6-9 p.m.

A national IRS program, VITA is run in Kalamazoo by the Kalamazoo County Tax Counseling Initiative in partnership with Goodwill Industries of Southwestern Michigan and United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region. The Battle Creek program, where appointments are also available through 2-1-1, is supported by Goodwill Industries of Central Michigan’s Heartland.

For those who don’t meet the requirements to receive free tax preparation from VITA or would rather handle their returns themselves, United Way offers myfreetaxes.com, powered by H&R Block. Taxpayers must have a household income of $64,000 or less to qualify for this service.