Free help available for taxpayers ahead of April 15

Crowd Wall on The George V. Voinovich BridgeBob PerkoskiCrowd Wall on The George V. Voinovich Bridge

Locals seeking help with their tax preparation have options.

—Lakewood Alive has teamed with Empowering and Strengthening Ohio’s People (ESOP) to offer free tax preparation and filing on Saturday, March 4 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Turkish Cultural Center in Lakewood’s Historic Birdtown Neighborhood, 13303 Madison Avenue. Click here for more information.

—Cuyahoga EITC Coalition has a bevy of tax information online, including a list of tax sites where low and moderate income taxpayers can make an appointment for help with filing by dialing 211.

The EITC free tax prep locations will also host several “Super Saturday” events at select locations where a larger number of volunteers will be on hand to provide additional assistance. These include:

February 4, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Saint Ignatius High School (co-hosted by Key Bank)
Library Room
1911 West 30th St., Cleveland

Cleveland Central Catholic High School (co-hosted by Third Federal Savings & Loan)
1st Floor Atrium
6550 Baxter Ave., Cleveland

February 11, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

PNC Fairfax Connection (co-hosted by PNC Bank)
8220 Carnegie Ave., Cleveland

February 18, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Notre Dame College (co-hosted by Ohio Savings Bank)
Administrative Building, 2nd Floor
4545 College Road, South Euclid

February 25, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Stephanie Tubbs –Jones Community Building (co-hosted by Ohio Savings Bank)
3420 Lee Road, Shaker Heights

Required documentation for tax preparation includes: Current photo identification, Social Security cards for each adult and child, W2 and 1099 income statements, child care expense statement and provider’s Tax I.D. Number, Form 1099-INT for any checking or savings accounts, and bank account and routing numbers for direct deposit. If the taxpayer purchased health insurance under the Affordable Care Act, they should bring 1099 tax credit from the issuing health insurance company.

The EITC Coalition is a volunteer driven program. Free training is available to become an IRS certified tax preparer for community members who want to volunteer to prepare taxes.