United Way of Northern Santa Barbara County’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) providing free tax assistance

SANTA BARBARA — With the tax deadline around the corner, United Way of Northern Santa Barbara County is helping any taxpayer in Santa Barbara, regardless of income, receive each and every tax credit they are eligible for and maximize people’s tax returns completely free of charge — would you be interested in learning more?

Those interested in free tax services can go to the My Free Taxes website, enter their zip code, select an appointment time, and indicate language preferences (Spanish language support is available) and whether they need ITIN assistance. Simply by filing their taxes, families can put up to $4,200 hard-earned dollars back in their pockets — dollars that can be used to pay rent, put food on the table, fill the car with gas, and more.

What’s more, to meet the unique needs of Californians without Social Security Numbers (SSN), United Way of Northern Santa Barbara County has on-site experts who can review and certify documents required for those seeking to apply for an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number), which is required or those filing taxes without an SSN. These experts, Certified Acceptance Agents, are difficult to find throughout the region despite the need for them. They are one of only two ways that people can apply to receive an ITIN number, with the other requiring mailing personal documents through an often costly mailing service.

Are you interested in connecting with English or Spanish-speaking representatives from United Way of Northern Santa Barbara County to learn more about their free tax filing program and the unique support Certified Acceptance Agents are able to provide people locally?