VITA Free tax help program goes “Valet” in Beaufort & Jasper Counties

This year, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program has gone “curbside” to provide Covid-safe FREE tax preparation.

Instead of sitting in a room filled with people as is the norm, clients will be able to arrive at a site, sign-in, return to their car and wait to be called. Once called, they will meet briefly with a volunteer, through plexiglass partitions, to have their tax documents uploaded to a secured IRS portal. Facemasks are required. Once done, return home! A local VITA Tax Preparer will be in contact within 24 to 48 hours to review and finalize the return. Valet VITA services are first-come, first-served.

“This year, through a partnership with GetYourRefund.org, we will be able to safely and efficiently provide VITA services in a way that we hope will be able to assist as many people in the community as possible,” said Theresa Jackson, Lowcountry Area VITA Coalition Program Coordinator. Adding, “We are extremely grateful to our community partners that have gone above and beyond to allow us to get creative so that we could provide services at their locations.”

Beaufort & Jasper County VITA Sites:

Beaufort Library
311 Scott Street, Beaufort
Monday’s & Friday’s (opening Feb 18^th)
11:00 am – 5:00 pm

Lobeco Library
1862 Trask Parkway, Seabrook
Saturday’s (opening Feb 13^th)
11:00 am – 4:00 pm

St. Helena Library
6355 Jonathan Francis Senior Road, St. Helena
Tuesday’s (opening Feb 16^th)
12:30 – 5:30 pm

Bluffton Library
120 Palmetto Way, Bluffton
Monday’s (opening Feb 22^nd)
11:00 am – 5:00 pm

The Deep Well Project
80 Capital Drive, Hilton Head Island
Tuesday’s & Thursday’s (opening Feb 16^th)
4:00 – 6:00 pm

Pratt Memorial Library
451 E. Wilson Street, Ridgeland
Monday’s (opening Feb 22^nd)
12:00 – 4:00 pm

Those who earn $66,000 or less, $120,000 filing jointly qualify. Those age 60 or above, there is no income limit, as well as, disabled and limited English proficiency are all encouraged to take advantage of this free service.

Last year, Lowcountry VITA filed nearly 2200 returns, saving taxpayers close to $1 million in tax preparation fees! On average that’s $300 per household which could be used for groceries, utility bills, or towards rent. Especially when many are struggling financially, VITA is proud to have been able to find a way to navigate the challenges and bring these services to the community again this year.

The Lowcountry VITA Coalition, an initiative of Together for Beaufort County, is made possible through the continued support of the IRS, United Way of the Lowcountry, and Beaufort County Community Services.

For information, visit www.vitalowcountry.org or contact Program Coordinator Theresa Jackson at lowcountryvitacoalition@gmail.com / 843-321-9071.