Tax season is just around the corner with W-2s being mailed this week. Taxpayers have until Wednesday, April 15, to file their 2025 tax returns and pay any tax due. The IRS expects to receive about 164 million individual income tax returns this year, with most taxpayers filing electronically.
The United Way’s South Central Tennessee offices is here to help with free tax filing available to local residents. Their VITA program is an IRS-supported tax preparation service, through which trained volunteers prepare taxes at no cost for qualifying individuals and families. The VITA program, along with My Free Taxes, connects community members with eligible credits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).
According to the IRS, the EITC “helps low- to moderate-income workers and families get a tax break. If you qualify, you can use the credit to reduce the taxes you owe – and maybe increase your refund.” The EITC is a benefit for working people with at least one dependent and can mean more resources for essential needs such as reliable transportation, housing, and food. The EITC is the third largest government benefit program behind Social Security and Medicare.
During United Way’s 2025 Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, more than 2,300 tax returns were completed with a total economic impact of over $3.2 million in Moore, Bedford, Cannon, Coffee, Lincoln, Rutherford and Warren counties.
Local should also note that the IRS strongly encourages taxpayers to establish a bank account to receive their tax refunds via direct deposit, because the IRS is phasing out paper tax refund checks due to an executive order.
This year in-person appointments will be available in Fayetteville, McMinnville, Murfreesboro, Shelbyville, Smyrna, Tullahoma, and Woodbury. Individuals can currently sign up for VITA appointments online. For more information and to register, visit yourlocaluw.org/vita. •
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