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By Liz Clark, Crisp County FACS Agent

Filing taxes can be intimidating, but the Crisp County Extension Office can help.

The University of Georgia Virtual Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program has provided free tax preparation services to Cordele and surrounding areas for more than five years.

At UGA VITA we offer people trustworthy tax preparation assistance that is free and accurate. The UGA VITA program is conducted at sites across the state of Georgia. To find your nearest Georgia VITA site, you can visit the IRS at www.irs.gov. We are fortunate to offer this program in Crisp County this year and welcome individuals that are needing tax preparation assistance. VITA services are free to the public!

Who will be completing your taxes? VITA sites are located with the UGA Extension offices throughout Georgia and service as the intake process of tax preparation. Liz Clark, Crisp County FACS Agent, will do your intake. UGA VITA recruits financial planning, accounting, and fiancé students to receive an IRS-approved course of study that prepares them to prepare tax returns.

Once they have passed the IRS certification, they can begin to file tax returns. The experience doubles as both a rewarding community service and a service learning experience for USA students. Once the tax returns are processed by the IRS certified tax preparers, the client and preparer review the return via zoom session for e-file submission. Refunds or payments can be received or made directly to/from a bank account or by check.

If you would like to use UGA Virtual VITA to complete your tax returns contact Liz Clarke at the Crisp County Extension Office at 229-276-2612 to schedule an appointment. Our office is located at 110 13^th Avenue West, Suite C, Cordele.