CRESTVIEW — Promoting financial stability is key to the United Way of Okaloosa and Walton Counties' mission.
That's why the local office — along with the University of Florida's Okaloosa County Extension Office and Goodwill Easter Seals of the Gulf Coast — offers free income tax preparation assistance, said Rhonda Davenport, the nonprofit's vice president of campaign marketing.
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program serves households with an average income of $52,000 or less. Eligible Crestview residents can schedule an appointment to have 2013 taxes prepared and filed at the First Presbyterian Church in Crestview.
Residents should bring photo identification, Social Security cards of everyone on the tax return, documentation of deductions and credits, and W-2 and 1099 forms. Those wanting tax refunds directly deposited should have their bank account numbers on hand.
Like the VITA program, the AARP Tax Aide program has trained volunteers working to assist low- to middle-income residents.
Volunteers help residents four days a week at the Crestview Public Library.
WANT TO GO?
WHAT: Free income tax preparation assistance
WHEN: AARP courtesy service available 2-6 p.m. Mondays, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays; first come, first served
WHERE: Crestview Public Library, 1445 Commerce Drive, Crestview
NOTE: Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, courtesy of the United Way of Okaloosa and Walton Counties, the University of Florida's Okaloosa County Extension Office and Goodwill Easter Seals of the Gulf Coast, is available for Crestview residents by appointment by calling 420-9775.
Editor's Note: An earlier version of this article stated that AARP Tax Aide service is available 2-5 p.m. Mondays. In fact, the service is available until 6 p.m. that day.
Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Matthew Brown, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Free last-minute tax preparation assistance available