Nearly all individuals employed in the United States are required to file a tax return each year. Although this applies to most working adults, the obligation to file depends on factors such as gross income, age and filing status. In general, whether you must submit a federal income tax return is determined primarily by your gross income. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) establishes minimum income thresholds, which are updated annually.
Of those 160-plus million, more than 2.7 million are filed by volunteers with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. VITA is operated here in Southwest Florida by United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades.
VITA is a free tax preparation program that helps eligible households meet their basic needs and build financial assets. Residents with a household income of $70,000 or less can have their federal tax returns prepared and e-filed at no cost through the VITA program. IRS-certified United Way volunteers prepare returns and determine eligibility for tax credits, including the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and childcare credits…