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Sarasota News Leader February 1, 2013 Page 62 SARASOTA COUNTY OFFERING FREE TAX AID Free help is available at AARP tax aid sites and Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) locations throughout Sarasota County for quick filing of federal individual income tax returns, the county has announced. tax assistance to EITC-eligible residents and older adults (some guidelines apply). Services include responding to questions; assisting eligible persons, including older adults, in filing their taxes; and support in reporting and receiving the benefit of all available and eligiResidents who earned $51,000 or less last year ble credits, including the EITC and Child Tax can use the VITA sites operated by the United Credit. Way Suncoast, a news release says. The United Way Suncoast also is offering free online Many people will qualify for the EITC for the tax preparation for people who want to file first time because their income declined, their their own taxes. The website is myfreetaxes. marital status changed or they added children com/sarasota. The income limit for online tax to their families, the release points out. Families with three or more children also get an expreparation support is $57,000. tra boost with a larger EITC this year, it adds. There are no income limits or age limits at the AARP sites, the release adds. "This service is Taxpayers should bring the following to the not for business returns or complex tax is- sites to help determine their EITC eligibility and to help prepare their tax returns: photo sues," it points out. identification; valid Social Security cards for The United Way Suncoast will operate four the taxpayer, spouse and dependents; birth VITA sites in Sarasota County as part of a co- dates for primary and secondary filers and ordinated effort between the United Way's Fi- dependents on the tax return current year's nancial Stability Partnership and the Saraso- tax package, if received; wage and earning ta County Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) statement(s) Forms W-2, W-2G or 1099-R from Task Force, the release notes. The goal is to all employers; interest and dividend statehelp ensure that residents who are eligible for ments from banks (Form 1099); Form 1098, the various tax credits receive their earned mortgage interest/property tax information, share. The other 12 tax aid sites will be oper- if applicable; a copy of last year's federal and ated by the AARP foundation. There are no state returns, if available; bank routing numappointments at the AARP or VITA sites, the bers and account numbers for direct deposit; release adds. other relevant information about income and expenses; total paid for daycare; and the dayBoth the AARP and VITA free tax sites allow care provider's taxpayer identifying number. residents to electronically file their tax returns so they can receive refunds sooner, if they are For more information, including a link to eligible for them. Generally, a refund can be online EITC filing, visit the Sarasota County posted to a person's bank account within sev- government website at www.scgov.net. Those en to 10 days after the visit to one of the AARP with mobile or pay phones may call 308-4357. or VITA sites, the release says. There are no appointments offered, the reTrained IRS-certified volunteers will be at lease says, but walk-ins are welcome at all each location to provide free personal income locations.