JEFFERSON CITY—Sen. Gina Walsh, D-Bellefontaine Neighbors, is encouraging area residents to check out  a free tax preparation service provided by the University of Missouri-St. Louis (UMSL) to see if you, or someone you may know, qualifies to participate. The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) provides free tax preparation for low-income, disabled and elderly individuals located in the City of St. Louis, St. Louis County and St. Charles County.

“For many people, the tax preparation process can be intimidating. With tax codes changing from year to year, it’s always best to seek out professional assistance if you’re unsure,” said Sen. Walsh. “Professional advice, however, often comes with a higher price tag than many households feel they can afford. This is where UMSL’s VITA program can help.”

To qualify for the VITA program, household income from all sources generally cannot exceed $53,000 for the 2014 tax year. The VITA program will have four tax preparation sites located throughout the area and will be open from Feb. 5, 2015 to April 12, 2015. For those who qualify, the VITA program provides free e-filing of both federal and state tax returns. This year’s deadline to file tax returns is on Wednesday, April 15, 2015.

“It’s always best, and oftentimes cheapest, to get your taxes filed correctly the first time,” Sen. Walsh said. “If you need assistance preparing your taxes and you think you may qualify, I encourage you to contact the VITA program and speak with a volunteer to find out more information.”

Here are a few helpful links to some questions you may have:

Where can I get my tax returns prepared?

Which tax returns will UMSL VITA prepare?

What do I need to bring to the tax preparation site?

Additional information about volunteering with the VITA program or applying for the 2014-2015 Jean Shelley VITA Scholarship can be found on the VITA website. For more information, contact UMSL VITA by phone at (314) 516-7188; e-mail at vita@umsl.edu; or mail at 8001 Natural Bridge Blvd, 504 SSB Tower, St. Louis, Mo 63121. Please note: Due to volunteer availability, phone calls are primarily returned on weekends.