FREE tax prep is available!

Here at Berkshire United Way, we are entering our second year of coordinating the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program in Great Barrington and Lee. VITA is a free tax preparation program for individuals and families making $55,000 or less. Together with our funded VITA partners at Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity and the Hilltown Community Development Corporation, we returned $1 million out of the total $2.2 million VITA dollars returned to Berkshire County residents last year.

VITA volunteers Alan Thiel and Jennifer Moriarty help a client with her tax return.

Our VITA sites opened on Monday, February 4^th at the Berkshire Community College South County Center in Great Barrington. We’re currently scheduling appointments for free tax prep at the following five locations: Berkshire South Regional Community Center, Construct, Berkshire Community College South County Center, Community Health Programs in Great Barrington and October Mountain Financial Advisors in Lee - simply call 413.442.6948.

We could not do this work without our funded partners who are available to help residents in other parts of the county. If a central county or hill town location is more convenient for you, we encourage you to contact Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity at 413.442.0002 or the Hilltown Community Development Center at 413.296.4536 x100.

In addition, MCLA has partnered with Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity and Berkshire United Way to offer free tax prep on campus for students and members of the community.

Regardless of where you are in Berkshire County - free tax prep for qualifying individuals and families is just a call away.

James Swinchoski
VISTA Volunteer and VITA site coordinator