Think you have to pay for tax preparations? These services are free for those making ‘moderate income’

Savannah Rudicel
·3 min read

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) – A Charlotte-based nonprofit organization is working to help families of moderate means through a potentially difficult tax season.

Families with an annual household income of $64,000 or less qualify for free tax return preparation through Community Link. 

President and CEO of Community Link Tameka Gunn said that may sound like a high level of income, but the threshold for income-based assistance increases yearly. The median household income in Mecklenburg County is $79,000, according to U.S. Census data.

IRS has our tax data, so why can’t it prefill returns?

“When you think about the state of the economy, and how it’s been in the past, and you look at inflation, that is really nowadays considered ‘moderate’ income,” Gunn said.

Internal Revenue Service data and a recent study from NerdWallet show the majority of taxpayers who qualify for free filing help don’t use it.

Community Link is able to assist taxpayers due to the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA). The department awards grants to organizations to train volunteers to prepare tax returns. Each volunteer who completes the VITA program becomes certified by the IRS.

Gunn said confusion about the filing process, misconceptions about the IRS and lack of awareness of resources can create feelings of uncertainty during tax season.

“You don’t know what you don’t know, and it’s the unknown, and I think for so many years taxes and the IRS have been synonymous with something scary,” she said. “If they didn’t get a large refund that they may have gotten last year and they ask us why, we’re able to look at their return and help educate them.”

In 2023, Community Link prepared more than 1,600 tax returns, with the average refund coming back to just under $1,000.

The following locations are open to either appointments or walk-ins until April 15.

  • Allegra Westbrooks Regional Library: appointments required, walk-ins available Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

  • Common Heart: appointments required

  • Community Link: no appointment required. Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 5:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.

  • Chosen City Church: appointments required

  • Goodwill (5301 Wilkinson Blvd. Charlotte) appointment required available Monday and Wednesday from 5:30-8 p.m.

  • Goodwill (921 N. Wendover Road, Charlotte) is open on Saturdays from 10 a.m – 3 p.m., appointment required

  • Levine Senior Center (1050 DeVore Lane Matthews) will be an appointment only intake site. Call 704-846-4564 for an appointment. This site will be open Mondays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. from Feb. 5-April 10 (Site is closed Feb. 19)

  • Sugar Creek Library: Appointments required, walk-ins on Saturday from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

  • West Boulevard Library (2157 West Blvd. Charlotte) is offering walk-ins through April 13. First come, first serve. Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Why you may owe taxes this year, according to a tax expert

Community Link will host a tax-a-thon Saturday, Feb. 17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Community Link headquarters, 601 E. Fifth St.

Taxpayers should bring the following to their appointments:

  • Photo ID – driver’s license, State ID card or passport

  • Social Security Card (or Form SSA-1099 – social security statement) for taxpayer(s) and dependents

  • Last years’ tax return

  • Voided blank check (or access to online banking information) for direct deposit of any tax refund

  • Any applicable 2023 tax documents

  • Income documents – W-2, SSA-1099 (social security statement), 1099-R, 1099-G,1099-NEC, 1099-Misc, 1099-K, 1099-C, etc.

  • 1098-T for your college student

  • 1095-A (Marketplace medical insurance)

  • Statement from child care provider, including provider’s SSN or EIN

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