Because of the Tax and Job Act of 2018, tax forms and deductions will be greatly different this tax preparation season. AARP and VITA have programs to provide free tax return help to qualified people.

Tax season is upon us, and free help in preparing tax returns is available to certain Butler County residents.

The AARP Foundation Tax-Aide volunteers will again be providing free income tax return preparation service in Butler County to low- and moderate-income taxpayers (under around $65,000) with special attention given to those 50 and older.

Membership in AARP is not required. The most important things again this year are that all sites require an appointment in advance by calling 2-1-1, and taxpayers should bring a photo ID along with their prior year (2017) tax returns.

The income tax return preparation service begins Feb. 4 at the Cranberry, Mars and Zelienople libraries, the Tanglewood Center in Lyndora and Trinity Lutheran Church in Center Township.

Gary Rauschenberger, district coordinator for Butler County Tax-Aide, said, “We’ve got about two dozen volunteers in Butler County. Last year, we served about 1,100 taxpayers.”

“All of the volunteers have to pass tests under the guidance of the IRS and the AARP Foundation,” he said.

Tax preparers, whether AARP volunteers or do-it-yourselfers, will be facing revisions in the tax code.

Rauschenberger said the changes in the tax law, enacted by Congress last year, are the biggest alterations since 1976.

“The biggest difference is the law eliminates many exemptions but provides bigger standard deductions.”

Also, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program through the Center for Community Resources also provides free income tax preparation services to any individual or family with an income under $50,000 that meets VITA requirements, said Jean Bowen, VITA coordinator.

IRS-certified volunteers can prepare taxes for free.

Bowen said, “We have 67 volunteers for this coming tax season.

“Last year with prepared 2,432 returns that brought back $4.2 million in refunds,” she said.

Bowen said, “The Tax and Job Act is in effect for 2018. People need to be aware of this when doing their taxes. The 1040A and 1040EZ forms are gone.”

People interested in using the VITA program receive a screening for qualification guidelines, schedule an appointment, and get free, professional tax preparation by IRS certified volunteers.

Call the VITA Appointment Line at 724-431-3767 during business hours for eligibility screening and appointment scheduling.

Tax preparation is available at six VITA locations:

[naviga:ul]

[naviga:li]Center for Community Resources, 212-214 S. Main St. (Open Jan. 28 to April 15)

[naviga:li]Slippery Rock University’s Sustainable Enterprise Accelerator, 165 Elm St., Slippery Rock (Open Feb. 2 to April 13)

[naviga:li]Cranberry Township Municipal Center, 2525 Rochester Road, (Open Feb. 2 through April 13)

[naviga:li]St. Luke Lutheran School, 330 Hannahstown Road, Jefferson Township (Tuesday evenings from Feb. 5 through April 9)

[naviga:li]Trinity Lutheran Church, 120 Sunset Drive, Center Township (Open Tuesdays and Wednesdays Feb. 6 through April 10)

[naviga:li]Harvest Community Church, 143 Reed Road, Kittanning (Open Tuesdays from Feb. 5 to April 9)