FREE Tax Prep

Free Tax Preparation!
Get your refund in as little as two weeks
without having to give any of it away!
Free Tax Preparation assistance will be available. Volunteers will assist with Federal & State taxes & tax credits on the following dates for anyone with a basic return. Stop by any one of the preparation sites.

Decatur
Emmanuel COGIC
Thursdays
Time: 3:00 -6:00 PM
Feb 2nd - April 12th

Gobles
Methodist Church
1st & 3rd Wed
Time: 9 AM - Noon
2nd & 4th Wed
6PM - 8:30 PM

Lawrence
VBISD Tech Center
Contact Ron Bishop to schedule an appointment
269-539-5279

Paw Paw
United Way
Tuesdays & Thursdays
3:00 - 6:00 PM
Saturdays
9 AM - 11:30 AM
Feb 4th & 11th
April 7th & 14th

South Haven
LMC
Saturdays
Feb. 4,11, & 18
March 3, 10, 17 & 31
Times: 9 AM - 3 PM

Hartford
DHS
10 AM - 3 PM
Mon, Tue & Thur
Feb 7th - April 12th

South Haven & Paw Paw
Senior Services VBC
Wednesdays
10 AM - 3 PM
Feb 1st - April 14th
By appointment only
269-637-3607

Paw Paw
Michgan Works
Red Arrow Hwy
Mondays & Wednesdays
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Main Locations listed above:
Decatur: Emmanuel Church of God in Christ, 106 East St. Marys
Gobles: United Methodist Church, 210 Exchange St., 269-628-4882
Hartford: DHS Office 57150 CR 681, 269-621-2920
Lawrence: Van Buren ISD Tech Center 250 South Street
Paw Paw: United Way 181 W Michigan Ave. Suite 4
Paw Paw: Senior Services of VBC, 37458 W Red Arrow Hwy
Paw Paw: Michigan Works, Red Arrow Hwy
South Haven: Lake Michigan College, 125 Veterans Blvd.
South Haven: Senior Service of VBC, 540 Williams St.

Other Sites open on limited basis:
Coca Cola, Maxwell Senior Apts., Black River Commons,
Miller Court, and most Township Halls.
Contact South Haven Senior Services of VBC for dates and times at Twp Halls

NOTE: All sites open in February

Certified tax preparers will be available at twenty-seven sites in Van Buren County to file tax forms free of charge for low to moderate income taxpayers, (incomes below 49,000 and not operating a business) especially those who may not be required to file tax returns. By submitting a shortened form, renters, seniors receiving Social Security, veterans, and those on disability and unemployment can take advantage of Michigan tax credits that may result in refunds to these filers. The free service is offered by the United Way Van Buren County Tax Coalition.

Don't forget to bring these with you!

Please remember to bring the following items with you when you visit one of the tax preparation sites:

? Valid picture ID, such as Drivers License, Michigan State ID, Military.
? A copy of last year's tax return (2010), if you have one.
? Social Security cards for any person listed on the return. Social Security cards are necessary to ensure the information is copied correctly onto the tax return.
? W-2 and/or 1099 forms from all 2011 jobs.
? 1099-G form, if you or anyone in your household received unemployment insurance benefits at any time in 2011.
? 1099-INT form, if you received bank interest income in 2011.
? Any statements received from a mortgage company during 2011 or name and address of landlord and amount of rent paid.
? Property tax receipts or bills for taxes paid in 2011.
? IRS notices or letters sent to you or someone in your household during 2011.
? Heating bills from 11/01/10-10/31/11 or contact your utility provider for your 2011 allowable heat credit deduction.
? If you have an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITINs), please bring your ITIN card that was sent to you from the IRS. You will need either the ITIN or a Social Security Number in order to claim the Child Tax Credit.
? Routing number and account number from your bank for your refund to be directly and quickly deposited into. You may still receive a paper check
? If you have received assistance from Department of Human Services in 2011, bring your annual Department of Human Services statement.
? Receipts for child care expenses, including provider's name, address, and EIN/Social Security number.
? Invoices and/or receipts for residential energy credit.

General Questions?
Call the Van Buren County
United Way Office 269-657-2410

Berrien & Cass County

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Niles District Library:

4:30 pm - 8:00 pm: Mondays starting 1/30/2012 through 4/9/2012

11:00 am - 4:00 pm: Every other Saturday during tax season starting 2/4 and ending 4/14
(2/4, 2/18, 3/3, 3/17, 3/31, 4/14)

Andrews University, Chan Shun Hall:

Wednesdays: 4:00 pm - 8:30 pm: Feb 8, March 7, and April 11

Thursdays: 4:00 pm - 8:30 pm: February 16, March 1, April 5

Berrien Springs Community Library:

Thursdays: 4:00 pm - 8:30 pm: March 22 and March 29

M-Tec Lake Michigan College, Klock Road, Benton Harbor:

4:30 pm - 8:00 pm: Tuesdays starting January 31 and ending April 10

9:00 am - 1:00 pm: every other Saturday during tax season starting 1/28 and ending 4/7
(1/28, 2/11, 2/25, 3/10, 3/24, 4/7)

Cass District Library, Cassopolis:

Thursdays: 4:30 pm - 8:00 pm: 2/9, 2/23, 3/8, 3/22, 4/5

Saturdays: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm: 2/18, 3/3, 3/17, 3/31, 4/14

In addition, Linda Thomson from the AARP group was kind enough to share with me her schedule of tax dates as well. The AARP has experienced and well-trained volunteers who also serve the greater Benton Harbor community. Thank-you, Linda! That AARP schedule of dates and locations is:

AARP Tax Preparation Dates and Locations:

Benton Harbor Public Library
9 AM to 2 PM
Tuesday - January 31
Thursdays - February 2 to March 29
Wed, Thur, Monday - April 11, 12 and 16

Catholic Community Center
10 AM to 1 PM
Fridays - February 3 to March 2, March 30, April 13
Saturdays - February 11 and 25