SARASOTA, FL – Goodwill Manasota is partnering with the United Way Suncoast to expand the availability of free tax preparation services in Sarasota County to households with income of $64,000 or less. On Thursday, March 2, from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., Goodwill Manasota will host a free tax preparation event at the Goodwill in the Rialto Shopping Center (676 S. Tamiami Tr., Venice).
Goodwill and United Way are able to offer this service through the Internal Revenue Service’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, which offers free tax help to those below a certain income, persons with disabilities, and limited English-speaking taxpayers who need assistance in preparing their own returns. IRS-certified volunteers provide free basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals.
“Tax season can be a time of extreme stress for many community members,” said Bob Rosinsky, president and CEO of Goodwill Manasota. “Through this effort, we’ll be able to help residents to file their taxes while ensuring that they receive every deduction to which they’re entitled. The IRS VITA program is a wonderful service; we’re happy to partner with United Way Suncoast to help South County residents on March 2.”
VITA tax preparers can prepare returns with credits including the Additional Child Tax Credit, Child and Dependent Care, Education Credits, and Retirement Saver’s Credit. VITA tax preparers cannot complete forms containing: Schedule C with losses, Complicated & Advanced Schedule D (capital gains and losses), Form SS-5 (request for Social Security Number), Form 8606 (non-deductible IRA), Form 8615 (minor’s investment income), or Form SS-8 (determination of worker status for purposes of federal employment taxes and income tax withholding).
To learn more, visit experiencegoodwill.org or myfreetaxes.com.
About Goodwill Manasota
Goodwill Manasota is an industry-leading, 501(c)(3), not-for-profit organization that changes lives through the power of work. With the sales of donated goods and philanthropic donations, Goodwill is able to assist people with disabilities and other barriers to employment by providing job skills training and employment opportunities. In 2016, Goodwill Manasota served 28,207 people, placed 755 people in jobs and assisted 240 veterans as they reintegrated back into the civilian workforce. Goodwill Manasota’s economic impact back to the community is worth $92.1 million. Goodwill is one of the pioneers of the reduce-reuse-recycle movement and this past year diverted more than 40 million pounds out of the landfill. We accomplish our mission through a network of Good Neighbor Centers in Sarasota, Manatee, Hardee and DeSoto counties and our Mission Development Services (MDS) around North America. Goodwill Manasota is accountable to a local Board of Directors. Goodwill Manasota, in essence, belongs to this community and is not owned by any individual or company. For more information, visit www.experiencegoodwill.org.