Yesterday, the Internal Revenue Service opened the 2005 tax filing season, and in Pennsylvania alone, the IRS expects to process over 5.8 million individual tax returns.
With this in mind, Blair Senior Services’ Retired and Senior Volunteer Program will be coordinating the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) for older Blair County residents again this year.
Trained volunteers will be available at 14 sites throughout the county to help prepare federal, state and local income tax returns for older, low-income individuals, beginning February 3.
VITA is designed to assist with basic returns for those individuals who would be financially burdened by the fees required for the services of a tax preparation professional. Volunteers are unable to assist individuals who have high incomes, operate businesses, sell property or have significant dividend income and capital gains.
Some VITA sites require appointments, while others accept walk-ins. The sites that do not specify the need for an appointment accept walk-ins on a first-come, first-served basis.
The first VITA site area residents may visit will be held at the Bellwood Library located at 526 Main Street, Bellwood. The scheduled times are Tuesdays from 1-3 p.m., starting February 1 through April 12. Walk-ins are accepted at this site.
The second site is at the Tyrone Senior Community Center located at 505 West Third Street, Tyrone. The scheduled times are Thursdays from 1-3 p.m., starting February 3 through April 14. Walk-ins are accepted at this site.
Another site is at the Blair Senior Service Center located at 1320 Twelfth Avenue, Altoona. Times are Mondays from 9 a.m. to noon, Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to noon and 1-3 p.m., and Fridays from 9 a.m. to noon, starting February 2 through April 13. These times are by appointment only. Call Maureen Adams at 946-1235 or 1-800-245-3282 to make an appointment at the Blair Senior Service Center.
Individuals need to bring to the VITA site: copies of their W-2, 1099 Forms, property tax receipts and any other pertinent material with them. Also, if individuals have a copy of their return from last year, bring that as well.
Also, if anyone is interested in becoming a trained volunteer for the VITA program, contact Blair Senior Services. More VITA sites are located throughout Blair County. Contact Blair Senior Services at 946-1235 for more information.
