Tax season is officially upon us, which means everyone has until April 15 to file taxes for the 2024 tax year. For low-income families, trying to pay someone to help file taxes can be a financial burden. Thankfully for Bucks County citizens, the BCOC has stepped in to help. Starting this week, Bucks County Opportunity Council will be starting appointments for their federal income tax assistance program.
Through their Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA), the BCOC offers free income tax preparation assistance for low-income residents. The program hires IRS-certified volunteers to prepare taxes for qualified residents through April 15, in five locations throughout the county: Bristol (2), Warminster, Quakertown and Newtown. Individuals and families with a combined income of $64,000 or less may be eligible for the program.
This program is possible thanks to BCOC volunteers, who dedicate nights and weekends to training and tax preparation. They attend training on various federal, state and local tax laws, as well as tax credits aimed at low- and moderate-income families, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit, before taking an IRS-certification exam each year. According to the BCOC, the tax volunteers have prepared more than 18,000 returns for Bucks County families in the past 20 years, resulting in more than $34 million in refunds, tax credits, and saved preparation fees that stay in the local economy. Additional volunteers help with scheduling and other administrative support.
Appointments are required and will be available to schedule as of January 20. To request an appointment, visit VITA: Volunteer Income Tax Assistance – Bucks County Opportunity Council. For questions, please reach out to Danielle Bush, Volunteer and Community Connections Manager, at dbush(at)bcoc.org or call 215-345-8175 x209.
