Community Action’s free tax prep spots filling up

GREENFIELD — Appointments for Community Action Pioneer Valley’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program are filling up, with only a few openings remaining at the Greenfield office.

VITA appointments are available on Mondays from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. and Tuesdays from 1 to 4 p.m. at 393 Main St. in Greenfield through April 7, and on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Community Action’s Northampton office, 155 Pleasant St., through April 9.

Frances Hall, director of community services with Community Action Pioneer Valley, said the program’s 35 volunteer tax preparers have been busy, and most of the available appointment times have been filled. The agency has recently added a few more dates in Greenfield and there is still availability in Northampton.

“We’re almost all booked; it’s been pretty busy,” Hall said. “We’re happy to be here serving folks.”

The VITA program offers free, IRS-certified tax preparation for residents across Franklin and Hampshire counties and the North Quabbin region. To qualify, individuals must make less than $31,920. The income cap increases to $43,280 for families of two, $54,640 for families of three, $66,000 for families of four and $77,360 for families of five.

The program ensures eligible taxpayers receive the full value of federal and state refunds and credits, including the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit.

Last tax season, VITA volunteers — who completed IRS certification, Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) background checks, and confidentiality and ethics training — assisted 600 taxpayers with average household incomes of $19,000, and who received an average tax refund of $2,263. In total, the VITA program helped bring nearly $1.24 million back to residents through their tax refunds last year.

“This is one of the most effective ways to support both families and our local economy,”
Lev BenEzra, executive director of Community Action Pioneer Valley, said in a statement. “When people receive the refunds they’ve earned, they spend that money locally — on rent, utilities, groceries, child care and car repairs. It strengthens financial stability for families and helps sustain local businesses.”

The VITA program benefits from sponsorship from Greenfield Cooperative Bank.

“Greenfield Cooperative Bank is proud to support a program that directly strengthens families and the communities we serve,” Tony Worden, president and CEO of Greenfield Cooperative Bank, said in a statement. “By helping people keep more of what they’ve earned and ensuring those dollars stay local, VITA makes a meaningful impact on both household stability and the regional economy.”

For more information or to check appointment availability, visit communityaction.us/program/taxes.

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