VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) Program
The OCCOA annually partners with the IRS to provide a VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) Program during tax season. The program is targeted toward taxpayers with total gross household incomes of under $56,000. VITA return preparers are volunteers who have been trained and certified, annually, through VITA. In addition to preparing federal and state returns, volunteers can prepare Michigan Homestead Property Tax Credits and Home Heating Credits for those who qualify. The program is available free-of-charge.
Due to a limited number of volunteer tax preparers, this year’s appointments will be scheduled for Otsego County taxpayers with total gross household incomes of under $56,000. Qualifying taxpayers may schedule appointments beginning on Wednesday, January 12, 2022, by contacting Tammie at (989) 748-4066. To learn more about scheduling an appointment, or to volunteer, please contact us. Please note: This year’s appointments will be “in-person” with volunteer preparers, barring any extreme changes in COVID conditions. For taxpayer safety and the protection of others, the wearing of masks is strongly recommended in OCCOA facilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
The VITA site sponsored by the Otsego County Commission on Aging offers e-filing for federal and state tax return preparation.
This year’s tax clinics will be held “in person” at:
Otsego County Commission on Aging* 1165 Grandview Drive Gaylord Michigan
*This is a new location, located on the east side of Elkview Drive in front of the Elk Park, between Grandview Boulevard and Commerce Drrive.
Standard tax clinics are scheduled on various days, dependent upon volunteer availability, between February 3, 2022, and April 14, 2022. Michigan Credits clinics are planned for April 21 and 22, 2022. Appointments are required. To schedule one, please call Tammie at (989) 748-4066, or Contact Us.
To help you prepare for your appointment, you will be sent a list of items that you will need to gather to bring to your appointment.
There is no charge for the preparation of your return.
To learn the status of your federal refund, you may contact the IRS Refund Hotline at (800) 829-1954 or the IRS Teletax System at (800) 829-4477. Alternatively, you may visit https://www.irs.gov/refunds/about-wheres-my-refund. If you e-filed, please allow 21 days from the time you e-filed before contacting the IRS. If you paper filed, please allow 6 weeks.
To learn the status of your Michigan refund, you may contact the Michigan Department of Treasury at (517) 636-4486. Alternatively, you may visit http://www.michigan.gov/taxes/0,4676,7-238-43513_75466—,00.html. If you e-filed, please allow four weeks from the time you filed before contacting the Michigan Department of Treasury. If you paper filed, please allow 4 to 6 weeks.
Click here for the IRS’s authorized professional e-filers for individuals.
Free Tax Assistance Program Staff:
Eileen Godek, OCCOA Research & Volunteer Coordinator and VITA Site Coordinator
“The hardest thing to understand in the world is the income tax.”
~Albert Einstein~
