As the new tax season begins, individuals, families, and businesses alike find themselves struggling through the complexities of filing their taxes. Paying taxes is a fundamental aspect of civic responsibility, not just a legal requirement but as a crucial contribution to the fabric of our society. Taxes finance public services and infrastructure, roads and schools, healthcare and national defense, and ultimately the safety and wellbeing of the community.
Filing your taxes can present significant challenges, for individuals for whom English is a second language or for those experiencing financial difficulties. Recognizing these obstacles, a new Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) location has opened at the Chinatown Main St Center at the intersection of Boylston and Washington Streets in Chinatown to serve Chinese speaking taxpayers. The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offers free tax help to people who generally make $70,000 or less, persons with disabilities, and those with limited English speaking abilities who need assistance in preparing their tax returns. IRS-certified, Chinese speaking volunteers provide free basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals. They can help with special credits, such as Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), Child Tax Credit, and Credit for the Elderly or the Disabled.
Sampan interviewed Debbie Ho, the manager of the VITA site located at Chinatown Main Streets. Ho emphasized that VITA is committed to offering clients top-notch assistance with federal and Massachusetts state tax services at no cost. It is prepared to assist with simple tax returns, so it may not be suitable for individuals with complex tax situations, such as substantial investment income, rental property income, or certain types of self-employment.
VITA at Chinatown Main Streets prides itself on having around 30 dedicated volunteers at their site. While some of these volunteers are knowledgeable college students pursuing degrees in finance, the majority are seasoned professionals. This diverse blend of volunteers ensures that professionalism and expertise are at the core of the support VITA provides, guaranteeing that clients receive high-quality tax assistance. The tax assistance services provided by VITA at Chinatown Main Streets will be available until April 16th. Taxpayers who only speak Chinese or who make less than $70,000 are strongly encouraged to seek out their help.
In addition to VITA, another valuable resource for low-income taxpayers is the LITC (Low Income Taxpayer Clinic). The AACA LITC is an organization prepared to help those with limited English proficiency, who are facing tax debt, or who are unable to make full tax payments. The AACA Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC) is located at the Asian American Civic Association (AACA) in Chinatown at 87 Tyler St Boston. . The clinic provides free assistance to these individuals in dispute with the IRS, and/or the MA Dept of Revenue. . The clinic is staffed by Qualified Tax Experts, knowledgeable in tax law and advocacy, ensuring that clients receive competent guidance. This clinic is beneficial for those who need specialized assistance in resolving complicated tax issues, making it an essential resource for the community.
Sampan interviewed Doris Zyra, Intake Coordinator at the Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC) to gain further information about the support they offer. Zyra explained that the LITC assists clients in managing notices and letters from the IRS, ensuring they understand official documents and find viable solutions to their tax issues. LITC
Zyra explained that the IRS and MDOR are eager to help taxpayers resolve tax issues. One program is the “Offer in Compromise” program. This arrangement allows taxpayers to settle their tax debts for less than the full amount owed, based on their income and assets. The program is designed to consider the taxpayer’s ability to pay, offering a more manageable path to settling tax obligations over months. While interest may accrue during the extended payment period, this option can be a lifeline for those experiencing temporary financial hardships, enabling them to meet their tax responsibilities without undue stress.
The Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC) offers crucial support for individuals facing tax debt challenges. Zyra described this case highlighting how LITC can help. A client, nearing retirement with a suspended driver’s license due to unpaid taxes and an inability to work because of surgery received assistance from the LITC Qualified Tax Expert who helped communicate the client’s situation to the Department of Revenue, explaining his inability to work and the need for financial leniency. LITC successfully negotiated a two-year delay in tax payments, allowing the client time to recover, return to work, and eventually settle his tax debts. This case explains LITC’s commitment to providing tailored support to those in complex financial and health-related predicaments.
Both Ho and Zyra have stressed the importance of responding to messages from the IRS and MDOR and to pay your taxes on time. Ignoring IRS and MDOR communications or accumulating tax debt can lead to severe consequences, such as the suspension of driver’s licenses or the seizure of property, including cars, houses, or other valuable assets. To avoid such devastating outcomes, Zyra strongly urges taxpayers experiencing payment difficulties to take advantage of the resources mentioned. Those in need should consider reaching out to VITA at Chinatown Main Street, located at 2 Boylston Street, Phone number (617) 350-6303, E-mail BoscmsED@gmail.com or the Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC) at AACA, situated at 87 Tyler Street, Floor 5, Phone Number (617) 426-9492 Ext. 285, Email litc@aaca-boston.org for support and guidance.
