Since 2006, Delmarva Community Services’ Community Action Center has been offering free tax preparation services to residents in the Mid-Shore who meet the necessary income requirements through the Internal Revenue Service’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. The VITA grant program is an IRS initiative designed to support free tax preparation services for the underserved through various partner organizations. Thirty years ago, the service started with the former Community Action Center in Dorchester County.
“We don’t normally turn away anyone who comes in and needs assistance. It really makes a difference. The majority of those we serve are seniors who sold their homes and have moved into a rental property and have limited funds and can’t afford a tax preparer. The program also helps those who may not be aware of deductions to which they are entitled,” commented Rosetta Brown, Site Coordinator & Quality Reviewer, of Delmarva Community Action Center, who oversees the program.
The program has six preparers serving the Mid-Shore who complete over 200 returns a month. The income requirements for clients utilizing the program are that they make $67,000 or less for a single filer and $130,000 for filing jointly. The program does not handle returns involving stocks and bonds. One of the benefits of filing through the program is that preparers can help with filing for renter and homeowner tax credits. The program also participates in the state of Maryland’s Direct File, which enables clients to get direct deposit when their returns are filed.
Maryland is one of 25 states participating in the Direct File service this tax season which helps taxpayers with simple returns to file their taxes at no cost. Comptroller Brooke E. Lierman visited DCS recently and commented on the tax preparation program and using the Direct File program.
“There are going to be people who won’t be able to get an appointment with you, especially towards the end,” Comptroller Lierman said. “We want them to know that Direct File exists and that it’s legit. We’d love it if you could share with folks. It’s great at prompting people to get the Earned Income Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit.”
“There are people who have come back again each year for tax preparation at DCS. This offers us the opportunity to connect them with other services offered by our agency if needed, like food or prescription assistance or emergency services for electric bills or rental/mortgage assistance,” adds tax preparer Tonet Cuffee of Delmarva Community Action Center’s program.
“We can take a look and make sure they’re getting everything they deserve, like our senior center programs,” she added.
The tax preparers also want younger filers to know that if they meet the income threshold, they will get more of their refunds through using the program and not having to pay a private tax preparer.
“Free is better and you get to keep all of your dollars,” Brown shared.
“Having the Comptroller visit today validates the importance of Direct File and Delmarva Community Services’ lower-income services. It also sends a message that this is a valuable service utilized by the community for over 20 years,” commented Michelle Nichols, Community Action Center Program Director at DCS.
For further information about the Delmarva Community Services’ free tax preparation services, call 410-901-2996 or 410-901-2991.
Delmarva Community Services Inc. (DCS) is a multi-service organization founded in 1974 that serves individuals with developmental disabilities, seniors, and individuals living in poverty and provides childcare and transportation services.
Write a Letter to the Editor on this Article
We encourage readers to offer their point of view on this article by submitting the following form. Editing is sometimes necessary and is done at the discretion of the editorial staff.