BEDFORD – The Bedford Public Library is taking appointments for Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) for community members who qualify now through April 2, 2022.
The VITA program offers free tax help to people who generally make $54,000 or less, persons with disabilities, the elderly, and limited English-speaking taxpayers who need assistance in preparing their tax returns.
VITA was founded in 1971 by Gary Iskowitz at California State University, Northridge, and has grown to several thousand sites nationwide, partnering with non-profit organizations, local municipalities, colleges, and universities.
Bedford Library Director Nathan Watson said the program offers a sense of stability and comfort for community members who need tax services.
“This program increases access to tax services that wouldn’t normally be available to people who have limited needs,” said Watson. “People are comfortable with coming to the library as they are comfortable with the staff and the facility.”
Watson said that with the library’s location, most community members can easily get to the building for these services that have been in place for over a decade.
“Most of the community members who come to the library are within walking distance. This program has been in place for over ten years now, and we will continue to provide this to the community for each year to come.”
