Tax Time

Do you earn less than $59,000 annually? Tired of paying just to file your taxes?

You may be eligible for FREE income tax preparation. You may also be eligible for up to $5,891 from the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). OnTrack WNC can help make sure you are not among the 15-20% of eligible Americans who don’t claim their credit!

January 30 through April 17, OnTrack WNC’s certified IRS-trained tax preparers will prepare simple tax returns FREE for individuals and families with 2012 household income of less than $59,000. Claim your refund and save those filing fees!

Make an appointment now
Tax preparation generally takes about one hour.  For an appointment please call our office beginning January 22, 2013 at 828.255-5166 x3 or 1.800.737.5485.

The FAQ below defines who needs to file a tax return and also describes tax circumstances that are too complex for us to handle as part of our Tax Project VITA site. For additional information about Earned Income Tax Credit call United Way’s 2-1-1 or visit www.irs.gov.

Do I need to file a tax return?  Will it benefit me to file?
1) You may need to file if you are:

  • Single, with total income above $5,500;
  • Married and filing jointly, with total income above $11,000; or
  • Head of household, with total income above $6,900

2) But if you are between 25 and 64 years old and have any earned income from employment or self-employment you should file because you may be entitled to an earned income tax credit.

3) You do not need to file if your only income is from Social Security benefits and is less than $25,000 a year ($32,000 if married and filing jointly).

Are my taxes too complicated for VITA?
We can help most people file their taxes – both federal and state, but there are some circumstances in which we cannot help you.  These include:  

  • You have rental property (even if your tenant just makes the mortgage payments for you)
  • You have income from farming
  • Other people worked for you as employees
  • You declared bankruptcy in 2011, or have received a form 1099-C (cancellation of debt) in connection with an earlier bankruptcy.
  • You were self employed (i.e. you operated a business) and any of the following apply:
    • Your business had a loss in 2011
    • You need to claim the cost of using part of your home for your business
    • You need to claim depreciation of business assets
    • You need to deduct the cost of health insurance or a self-employment pension plan

There are a few other unusual circumstances which fall outside the scope of what we are allowed to do.  If you think your return is likely to involve something unusual or complicated, please call (828) 255-5166 ext.137 to discuss it with a tax volunteer ahead of your appointment.  This is not the extension for making an appointment. To make an appointment, please use extension 3.

Non-discrimination Policy - OnTrack Financial Education & Counseling shall not exclude anyone from receiving agency services based on his/her economic status, cultural heritage, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, age, political affiliation, disability or military status.

Miaisha Wadsworth

"I used to pay too much for tax preparation and didn’t get much money back.   Now, with free tax prep, I know for sure that I get all the money I deserve and they’re willing to explain things I don’t understand."

- Miaisha Wadsworth (photographed with her three sons, Alizé, Savon, & Riamello), Free Tax Prep Recipient.

United Way NFCC Council on Accreditation