Beginning Tuesday, Jan. 31, Common Heart volunteers will once again offer a free income tax service to local residents.  

This will be the 12th year Common Heart has offered free tax services, which are completed by trained and certified volunteers as part of the national Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, or VITA, program. This year’s service is a continued partnership with fellow nonprofit Community Link.  

Individuals and families with an annual household income of $60,000 or less are eligible for the free assistance. Residents do not have to live in Union County. To make an appointment, sign up online at 1040.CommonHeart.org. Anyone who is unable to use a computer to sign up can call 704-218-9060 between the hours of 10 a.m.-2 p.m Monday through Friday. (Note: online signup is the quickest way to ensure your desired day & time). 

Appointments are available Tuesdays 10-4, Thursdays 10-7 and Saturdays 10-2.  All appointments are at the Common Heart main office, 116 Business Park Drive, Suite A, Indian Trail. Drop-off services will not be available this year.  

Last year, Common Heart volunteers filed 515 income tax returns, resulting in total refunds of $659,903 and an average return of $1,987. The average yearly adjusted gross income for these neighbors was $29,711. According to the IRS, the average cost to have a tax return prepared is $240 which means tax volunteers saved our neighbors a total of $123,600 in 2022. 

Common Heart Executive Director Keith Adams, said the program gives a needed boost to many in the community, especially now with rising prices due to inflation.

“Our free tax service helps take the stress out of tax time and allows our hard-working neighbors to use the money they save on tax preparation fees along with refunds and tax credits for other needs, like food, rent or medical bills or, in the case of one of our friends, a down payment on a home,” Adams said. “We serve people from all walks of life – college students, teachers, hair stylists, retail staff, local government employees and retirees.”