NEWS RELEASE

SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE

Public Affairs Office

Contact: Danny Brazell

Phone: (803) 898-5464

Email: brazeld@sctax.org

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 25, 2004

Free income tax help available in Midlands

            While the 2004 income tax filing season is winding down, free income tax preparation help for low-income, elderly or disabled taxpayers is still available in the Midlands area under the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.           

            Taxpayers can visit the South Carolina Department of Revenue VITA site each Wednesday through April 9, 9 a.m. – noon. The site is located at the Department’s headquarters, 301 Gervais Street (State Museum building). No appointment is necessary, but some waiting may be required. Taxpayers should bring all W-2s, dependent and tax deduction information. Electronic filing is available at this site.

            Other VITA sites in the Columbia metropolitan area include:

Benedict College (through April 12)

Community Development Center

Two Notch and Reed Streets

Saturdays, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Wateree Community Action Agency (through April 11)

3220 Two Notch Road

Fridays, 2 – 5 p.m.

Lower Richland Community Center (through April 13)

117 Henry Street

Wednesdays, 2 – 5 p.m.

(Call 803 352-3822 for apt.)

Cayce-West Columbia Branch Library (through April 9)

Conference Room

1500 Augusta Road

West Columbia

Fridays, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Crooked Creek Recreational Center (through April 15)

1098 Old Lexington Highway

Chapin

Thursdays, 4:30 – 5:30 p.m.

South Carolina State University

School of Business

Belcher Hall

300 College Street

Saturday, April 3 and 10

11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

            VITA is a free tax-help program co-sponsored by the Internal Revenue Service and the Department of Revenue. Volunteer tax preparers are trained by the agencies to assist taxpayers with basic tax returns and those who qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit.  Typically, volunteers will assist taxpayers who cannot afford profession tax help and whose taxable income is less than $34,000.

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