JACKSON, Wyo. — Don’t kill the messenger, but tax returns are due in a little over a month. It’s never too early to get a head start and if you’d like a little free help think about heading to the library.

Community members can save themselves some money and frustration by taking advantage of the IRS program Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA). VITA is offered at the Teton County Library, providing free income tax preparation services to the community.

Qualifying community members who need help with their taxes can once again get free assistance from IRS-certified tax preparers at Teton County Library, Jan. 28-April 8.

Jackson’s VITA recommends that clients begin the process by picking up a tax prep packet from the library; the packets have all the instructions clients need to complete forms and gather tax documents before they make an appointment with VITA.  

“We’ve developed an efficient five-step system over the last few years for getting your taxes prepared,” said Grace Robertson, the local VITA Site Coordinator. “When clients follow the steps, they walk into their appointments more prepared and the process goes much more smoothly.  We’re also collaborating with One22 Resource Center to offer extra help for Spanish speakers with both taxes and ITINs.” 

VITA’s five steps to free tax preparation: 

  1. Pick up a tax prep packet. Packets are available in the library lobby, or for English download here or Spanish download here.
  2. Homework. Follow the directions in the tax prep packet to complete forms and gather tax documents, then make a Drop-Off appointment at the websites listed above.
  3. Drop-Off appointment. Come to the library Ordway Auditorium for your appointment. Participants will meet briefly with a VITA volunteer, then leave their paperwork to be processed. Volunteers may give additional calls with questions during tax preparation. 
  4. Review/Sign appointment. VITA contacts participants when their taxes are completed. Review/Sign appointments are made online.
  5. VITA e-files your taxes. 

Drop-Off and Review/Sign appointments take place Jan. 28-April 8, Tuesday 1:30-4:30 p.m., Wednesday 2:30-7:30 p.m. and Saturday 9:30 a.m.- 1 p.m. Spanish speakers who need interpreters or extra help obtaining ITIN numbers may make appointments Wednesday 4-7:30 p.m. or Saturday 9:30-11:30 a.m. 

Questions for VITA can be directed to (307)264-5777 (please do not call the library) or can be emailed to tetonVITA@gmail.com. 

To determine if you qualify for help, see income guidelines and a list of what VITA does and does not prepare: tclib.org/tax and tclib.org/impuesto.

The program is free and open to the community.