A free tax preparation program now is accepting appointments in the Quad Cities.
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, led by United Way Quad Cities and AARP, helps taxpayers every year prepare their income taxes free of charge. The service is provided from Feb.1 to April 13 at various Quad Cities locations.
Individuals and families, who in the last year earned up to $57,000, are eligible to take part in the program. Schedule an appointment by calling (563) 355-9900 or 2-1-1. Appointments are expected to fill quickly.
“Most people won’t think about income taxes for another couple of months. But low-income families are already counting the days until they can file,” Rene Gellerman, United Way Quad Cities president and CEO said in a news release. “The free tax prep program helps Scott County and Rock Island County residents maximize tax refunds that can help pay for necessities, like food and rent, or provide a much-needed cushion in the event of an emergency.”
In the past three years, VITA and AARP Tax Aide preparers have helped return about $13 million to families and individual filers in the area.
“What keeps this critical service running is the hundreds of volunteers and partner organizations who continuously show up for our community,” Ms. Gellerman added.
The IRS-trained volunteer tax preparers include students from Augustana College, St. Ambrose University and Western Illinois University Quad Cities.
In addition to scheduled appointments, United Way offers a walk-in option from Feb. 1 through April 9. Drop-off tax preparation also is available by appointment from Feb. 2 to April 13 in partnership with AARP.
Here are the VITA tax preparation sites:
In-Person Tax Filing (appointments required):
- Eastern Iowa Community College: Scott Community College Urban Campus, 101 W. Third St., Davenport (Room W 110).
- Friendly House, 1221 Myrtle St., Davenport.
- Palomares Social Justice Center, 135 Fourth Ave., Moline.
Walk-in Tax Filing (during select hours):
- Martin Luther King Jr. Center, 630 Martin Luther King Drive, Rock Island.
Drop-off Tax Filing (appointments required):
- Davenport Eastern Library, 6000 Eastern Ave.
- Moline Public Library, 3210 41st St.
- Rock Island Township, 2829 Seventh Ave., Rock Island.
- Rock Island County Senior Center, 2221 11th St., Rock Island.
Masks will be required at all locations, and COVID-19 health and safety precautions will be taken to prevent the spread of illness.
Filers can learn about the Child Tax Credit (CHC), the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and what documents to bring with them by visiting unitedwayqc.org/vita.
