CSET to offer free tax filing services

Community Services and Employment Training (CSET) is offering free tax preparation services to Tulare County residents with a household income under $50,000.

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program will operate from Feb. 1 through April 15.

The VITA program prepares tax returns for qualified individuals at no cost. More than 150 volunteers took a month-long course to become certified by the Internal Revenue Service as tax preparers. The volunteers are trained to file taxes for residents and help them identify tax credits for which they are eligible.

Common tax credits include the earned income tax credit, child and dependent care, education, and child tax credits.

In 2011, CSET volunteers prepared 1,768 tax returns, resulting in more than $3 million being returned to Tulare County.  

The VITA program is available at seven locations, including offices in Porterville, Pixley, Tulare, Visalia, Earlimart, Orosi, and Goshen.

Most offices are open one evening per week by appointment only, and on Saturday mornings on a first-come, first-served basis.  

Taxpayers that file electronically will receive their return as direct deposit within five to 10 business days.

“We are excited to offer VITA to Tulare County families for the sixth year in a row,” stated CSET Executive Director Carolyn Rose in a news release issued Monday.

“We look forward to helping families and bringing money back to Tulare County.”

The County of Tulare, City of Tulare, Bank of the West, Community Trust Credit Union and United Way of Fresno County have partnered with CSET to provide these services.

To view the full schedule of times and locations, visit www.cset.org/vita. For questions or to schedule an appointment, call 741-4640.