Goodwill offering free tax assistance for qualifying taxpayers in Southwest Florida

FORT MYERS, Fla. - March 1, 2021 - PRLog -- As 2020 brought unemployment, stimulus checks and a new career for many, there are many questions on what is taxable, making filing taxes this year a challenge. But, Goodwill is here to help.

Goodwill Community Resource Centers (CRC) in Southwest Florida have trained IRS certified volunteers who can help tax payers file their 2020 returns for free. It's through the VITA program, or The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. The VITA program offers free tax preparation to people who generally make $66,000 per year or less, persons with disabilities, the elderly, and limited English-speaking taxpayers who need assistance in preparing their own tax returns.

Goodwill offers this service in conjunction with the IRS and the United Way of Lee, Hendry, Glades and Okeechobee Counties, and can assist SWFL residents in claiming any special credits and deductions for which they may be eligible.

"With our Covid-19 safety protocols in place, we are ready to safely help ease the stress that filing a tax return can bring to so many," said Giancarlos Castano, Goodwill VITA provider. "Along with easing stress, our free tax preparation service helps households save more of their hard-earned income at a time when each dollar saved matters."

Goodwill's free tax sites will be hosted at the following locations:

Bonita Springs – United Way House & Goodwill Job-Link (26820 Old 41 Rd., Bonita Springs), (239) 357-4024

LaBelle - Goodwill CRC (91 S. Lee Street, LaBelle), (863) 675-8585

Lehigh Acres - Goodwill CRC (2825 Lee Blvd., Lehigh Acres), (239) 369-8500

Tice - Palm Beach Goodwill CRC (4162 Palm Beach Blvd., Ft. Myers), (239) 694-4915

Clewiston - Goodwill CRC (957 W. Sugarland Hwy., Clewiston), (863) 983-2774

Goodwill is also offering federal tax filing online through the My Free Taxes Program. For those who would like to complete their own taxes online, free of charge, they can go to https://www.myfreetaxes.com.

Last year, Goodwill's tax sites processed more than 1600 tax returns, returning $2.1 million dollars back into the SWFL community.

Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida is a nonprofit organization committed to serving people with disabilities and disadvantages by providing life-changing opportunities toward independence for those individuals. For more information about Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida, visit www.goodwillswfl.org.