Free Low Cost Tax Assistance Available to County Residents

San Bernardino County residents can get tax help from various professionals this tax season. On Feb. 7, professionals with the Inland Empire chapter of the California Society of Enrolled Agents (CSEA) will offer tax advice free of charge. Volunteer Enrolled Agents licensed by the government will be answering tax questions for participants free of charge. They will not prepare any tax returns or provide written advice. The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Solarium Room, Suite 400, at the Medical Office building of the Community Hospital, 1800 Western Ave., San Bernardino. Additionally, qualifying low to moderate income taxpayers may receive free tax preparation and e-filing services from the San Bernardino County Transitional Assistance Department (TAD) through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. Services are available to eligible individuals and families who earned less than $53,000 in 2014. Tax returns will be filed electronically for both California and federal taxes. Taxpayers may call to make an appointment, with extended evening hours and Saturday appointments available, according to a release from San Bernardino County. Walk-ins are also welcome. Bilingual tax preparation services are also available. “For those who are eligible to receive this free service, it can provide life changing outcomes,” said Nancy Swanson, Director of Transitional Assistance. “The earned income credit can be a much needed financial boost for taxpaying individuals and families in our local community and we are proud to be partnering, once again, with the IRS on the VITA program.” For further information regarding VITA program eligibility requirements, please visit the VITA website at hs.sbcounty.gov/VITA or call 909-252-4903 or 760-552-6175. For more information on the Feb. 7 free tax advice event, contact Gloria J. Williams, EA at 951-928-6583 or via email at gloriawilliams@gloriawilliamsea.com. You may also visit the event website: www.ietaxpro.org or http://www.csea.org/taxpayers/tax-help-day/.