MASON COUNTY — A stressful time for some, filing income tax returns can be confusing and through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program free assistance is available for some local residents.

Local help is available, by appointment only, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, at the Southwestern Community Action Council, located at 700 22nd Street in Point Pleasant. To make an appointment, contact Site Coordinator Christy Kinder at 304-674-8055.

According to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the VITA program provides free basic income tax return preparation for individuals whose household income is $51,000 or less. IRS trained and certified Volunteer Tax Preparers can also inform local residents if they qualify for certain tax credits, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, and Credit for the Elderly or the Disabled.

Those wishing to receive help at the local VITA location are also asked to bring the following items: a picture I.D., social security cards for the individual plus their spouse and dependents or your Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) assignment letter for the individual and their spouse and dependents, proof of foreign status if applying for an ITIN, birth dates of the individual plus their spouse and dependents, wage and earning statements such as W-2, W-2G, 1099-R, 1099-Misc from all employers, interest and dividend statements from banks such as Forms 1099, a copy of last year’s federal and state return if available, proof of bank account routing numbers and account numbers for direct deposit such as a blank check, and total paid for daycare provider and the daycare provider’s tax identifying number if appropriate.

It was also noted to file taxes electronically on a married-filing-joint tax return, both spouses must be present to sign the required forms.

VITA site locations are also available in Cabell County and in Lawrence County, Ohio. For more information on other sites, call 304-781-1033.