At RSVP (Retired & Senior Volunteer Program) in Etowah and Cherokee County, people 55 and over are busy reaching others through 60 nonprofit organizations or schools, but probably our most well-known program is the Free Tax Assistance Program, said Traci Pondick, RSVP Director. This program has been operating through RSVP since 1991.
The Free Tax Assistance Program offers free tax help to taxpayers, regardless of age, by preparing and e-filing federal and state returns. This year we have 32 RSVP volunteers at 8 locations, 7 in Etowah County and 1 in Cherokee County. These locations are strategically placed in well-known public buildings across these counties for easy access to the public.
Volunteers can prepare returns that include wages, interest income, unemployment benefits, some simple capital gains/losses, the sale of a home, gambling winnings, and of course the earned income and child tax credits.
The Tax Assistance Program is afforded through an IRS grant, a partnership with Impact America, and from the Etowah County Commission. The major initiatives of this IRS program are to encourage individuals to file their federal income tax returns electronically and to take advantage of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). EITC is the federal government’s largest benefit for working people with low to moderate-income.
According to the IRS, this year federal returns will not be accepted until February 12th, and taxpayers can expect their refunds in early March.
Volunteers are at the following locations, days and times:
Etowah County Courthouse Mon – Friday 11 am – 3 pm
800 Forrest Ave. 4th Floor
Gadsden, AL
Hokes Bluff Library Mondays only 12 pm – 4 pm
3310 Alford Bend Rd.
Hokes Bluff, AL
Carnes Recreation Center Tuesdays only 10 am – 2 pm
102 Case Avenue beginning March 2nd
Attalla, AL 35954
Centre Administration Building Tuesdays only 10 pm – 2 pm
260 Cedar Bluff Rd.
Multi-Purpose Room
Centre, AL
Rainbow City Comm. Ctr. Wednesdays only 11:30 am – 3:30 pm
3702 Rainbow Dr.
Rainbow City, AL
George Wallace Senior Ctr. Tuesdays & Fridays 10am – 2pm
407 Hollingsworth Lane
Glencoe, AL
Walnut Grove Library Wednesdays only 10 am – 2 pm
5151 Walnut Grove Rd.
Walnut Grove, AL 35990
Family Success Center Saturdays only 9 am – 1 pm
821 E. Broad Street
Pick the site that is most convenient to you, no appointment necessary. These sites will be open through April 15, 2021, and remember, this tax help is FREE through RSVP!
Traci Pondick