SOUTHERN COLORADO – Tax season is just around the corner, and it’s coming on the heels of a temporary end to the government shutdown.
Local non-profits are back to offering tax assistance as part of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, or VITA.
But volunteers have more questions than answers.
At Pikes Peak United Way, volunteers got questions from visitors about when their tax refunds will come through, and they say it’s uncertain at this point.
Usually it takes one to two weeks for folks to receive their tax returns. This tax season, it could take a little longer.
The only way agencies will know for sure is once folks start filing.
Volunteers and families say those refunds, averaging between three to six thousand dollars, can be crucial.
“We hear ‘I’m paying bills. I owe credit card bills. I owe rent,'” said site coordinator Randi Davis.
Mary Hernandez, who went in to receive the tax assistance, said she was going to use her returns for “just living in general, maybe a few extras, but we won’t be on the beach in Mexico soon,” she joked.
Volunteers helped more than 20 people today.
Tax season officially starts Monday.
You can find a full list of locations participating in the VITA program here.
To qualify for the assistance, households must have an income of $55,000 or less.
If you’d like to set up an appointment, you can do so by dialing 2-1-1.
