Nonprofit offers Laf. residents’ tax preparation help

Low-to-moderate income residents in Lafourche Parish who make $58,000 or less and are in need of assistance with their basic income tax returns can receive free help from the 4 U Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA).

The program runs through April 15 at several Lafourche Parish Public Library branches. 

Denise Hughes, chief executive officer of 4 U, the nonprofit organization responsible for coordinating VITA services in Lafourche Parish, said the overall purpose of the program is about helping people become sustainable and moving area residents out of  poverty. 

“It’s to help them, guide them and build them into the right direction and their pathway to success,” she said. 

According to the Internal Revenue Service website, VITA is available for people who make $52,000 or less, but Hughes said they have received permission to assist those who make the maximum amount allowed of $58,000 or less for the Lafourche VITA program.  

In addition to free tax preparations, VITA provides their clients with information about the banking system and how to obtain a savings and checking account, along with financial literacy documents about individual money management and asset development. 

“We provide financial literacy assistance for anyone who would like to spend their income tax wisely,” Hughes said.  

VITA operates with volunteers certified by the IRS and are hosted by Lafourche Parish Public Libraries who have the space to accommodate the program.

Since the program’s inception in Lafourche Parish in 2009, VITA has helped 600 to 800 clients annually, Hughes said. 

“Our volunteers are retired certified public accountants, retired teachers, students from Nicholls State University, retirees from other agencies and people from the community who have the time to put back into the community,” she said. 

Volunteers can also inform residents about special tax credits they may qualify for such as Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit and credits for the elderly or disabled. 

VITA tax preparation sites are open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with the exception of the Bayou Blue Branch, which is open from noon to 4 p.m. on Mondays. 

The Raceland Branch is open for tax preparations on Tuesdays and Thursdays; Galliano on Tuesdays and Saturdays; Lockport on Wednesdays and Fridays; Thibodaux on Mondays and Saturdays; Larose on Wednesdays and Saturdays and South Lafourche on Tuesdays and Saturdays. 

Appointments are required at the Bayou Blue, Larose, Lockport and Raceland locations.  

“Everyone has the opportunity to get their taxes done,” Hughes said.  “They just have to find a branch that hosts VITA or a branch closest to them.” 

On Feb. 20, the Choctaw Library will host the “Super Tax Day,” which is when VITA schedules as many appointments as possible to meet the demands of the amount of people in need of tax preparation assistance in that area. 

Hughes recommends anyone who makes an appointment or goes to a VITA location for assistance to have social security cards for anyone they plan to claim under their taxes and bring any other tax forms in their possession. 

Throughout the year, 4 U also provides support services to the people of Lafourche with four main focuses:  social, physical, economical and community improvements.

Without help from community volunteers and cooperation from the Lafourche Parish Public Libraries, Hughes said the VITA Program would not be able to assist people as it has in the past. 

“People are calling for our assistance every day,” Hughes said.  “We have great volunteers and our libraries are so supportive toward this program.”

The 4 U Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program is offering Lafourche residents who earn less than $58,000 annually tax help at several parish public library branches.

TRI-PARISH TIMES