| The Wake EITC Coalition is providing free income tax | | | | paying zero for tax prep or filing, refunds are issued |
| preparation to all Wake County taxpayers that need | | | | very quickly. Most income tax refunds are direct |
| assistance with filing their income tax return. In 2008, a | | | | deposited into your bank account within 10 days. This is |
| total of 28 volunteer-based free tax prep sites | | | | done without any fee or costly loan. |
| completed thousands of income tax returns at no | | | | If your household income is less than around $42,000 a |
| charge. | | | | year, then you may receive free tax prep and free |
| This alternative is available for Wake County | | | | electronic filing through the IRS VITA program. VITA |
| taxpayers that need a break from unnecessary tax | | | | stands for volunteer income tax assistance. You also |
| preparation fees. The good news is that everyone | | | | qualify if you are age 60 or older. |
| qualifies for free income tax preparation. The | | | | All others can still get free income tax prep as well as |
| disclaimer is that more complicated returns should still | | | | free electronic filing of your return through the Tax |
| be taken to a paid preparer. | | | | Aide program. There are no age or income limits for |
| Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Tax Aide | | | | this free service. |
| programs provide free income tax preparation for | | | | In order to find your closest location, you may call 211 |
| Wake County residents. Volunteers trained by the IRS | | | | from a landline telephone as long as you live in either |
| will prepare your taxes for free, and the IRS will | | | | Wake, Orange or Durham counties. You may also call |
| accept your e-filed tax return. There is no charge for | | | | the IRS at 800-TAX-1040 and ask for your closest |
| the service, and it is open to Wake County residents. | | | | VITA site. Just provide them with your ZIP code. |
| What is great about the programs is that in addition to | | | | |