Tax 'Valet’ Offers Pima County Free Income Tax Return Preparation

TUCSON, AZ — Pima County residents with a yearly family income of less than $66,000 can get their income tax returns completed – free – by a qualified tax preparer, courtesy of a Pima County and United Way of Tucson partnership: the Voluntary Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.

The program provides a tax “valet” service enabling income tax return haters — and also county residents who are busy — to visit specified locations and get their tax documents scanned, then uploaded into the hands of a tax preparer. The documents are submitted over a secure server, and drop-in clients can expect to spend about 30 minutes, including wait time, at a program office. The process won’t take that long for those scheduling advance appointments.

The tax returns are typically completed in about two weeks and can be securely emailed or picked up from United Way’s office at 330 N. Commerce Park Loop, Suite 200, in Tucson.

Pima County’s VITA coordinator Bonnie Bazata says the program eases the income tax return hassle. “Taxes can be a headache and time consuming, and the Valet VITA program simplifies the process while providing the highest quality service — for free,” Bazata wrote.

The eight locations hosting the free tax valet services will do so from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, and from noon to 5 p.m. Wednesdays. The exception is the Nanini Branch Library, which offers free tax valet services only on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The free tax preparation sites are:

• Feb. 11-13: Kino Veterans’ Workforce Center, 2801 E. Ajo Way
• Feb. 18-20: Joel D. Valdez Main Library, 101 N. Stone Ave.
• Feb. 25-27: Kino Service Center, 2797 E. Ajo Way
• March 3-5: Rio Nuevo Service Center, 340 N. Commerce Park Loop
• March 10-12: Abrams Public Health Center, 3950 S. Country Club Road
• March 17-19: Nanini Library, 7300 N. Shannon Road
• March 24-26: Pima County Youth Employment Center, 340 N. Commerce Park Loop, Tortolita building

Those using the free tax valet service must bring:

• Photo identification for spouse and taxpayer
• Each family member’s social security card
• Proof of income including W2s, 1099s, and so on
• Bank routing and account numbers for direct deposit refund
• Deductible documentation such as paperwork on real estate taxes or home mortgage interest
• Health savings accounts documents such as forms 1099-SA and 5498-SA
• Affordable Care Act Form 1095A

If married filing jointly, both spouses must come in together to sign tax filing paperwork.

For general tax valet service questions, email Bonnie Bazata at Bonnie.Bazata@pima.gov. For eligibility and tax questions, contact United Way online or at 520-903-9000.