Free Tax Preparation

The Chatham-Savannah Asset Development Coalition mobilizes volunteers each year to assist eligible individuals in preparing their taxes and filing for the Earned Income Tax Credit.

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a federal tax credit designed to offset the cost of Social Security contributions for low- and moderate-income workers. Families may still qualify for the credit even if their income is so low that are not required to file a tax return. Generally, families with an annual income of $42,000 or less are eligible for the EITC.

Over the last eight years, coalition members at Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (or VITA) sites have brought millions of dollars back to working families in Chatham County. Much work remains to be done, however. The IRS estimates that more than $8 million in Earned Income Tax Credits remain unclaimed in Chatham County.

Year Returns EITC Federal Refund

2004 1,075     $724,561     $1,329,508
2005 1,583   $1,148,420     $2,004,510
2006 1,738   $1,219,808     $2,219,443
2007 2,574   $1,228,123     $2,614,082
2008 3,167   $1,600,870     $3,078,804
2009 3,450   $2,213,674     $4,099,301
2010 5,203   $3,024,982     $6,817,461
2011 4,475   $3,257,676     $7,371,792

2012 VITA Site Locations:

Chatham County 124 Bull Street

Economic Opportunity Authority 618 W. Anderson Street

Neighborhood Improvement Assoc. 1816 Abercorn Street

Savannah Entrepreneurial Center 801 East Gwinnett Street

Second Arnold Baptist Church 1427 East 37th Street

St. Joseph/Candler (Employees Only) 11700 Middleground Road

St. Mary’s Community Center 812 West 36th Street

Moses Jackson Golden Age Center 1210 Richard Street

United Way of Effingham County 711 Zitterour Drive

Pembroke Library 1018 Camellia Drive

Richmond Hill Library 9607 Ford Ave