The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program needs volunteers to provide free assistance to low-to-middle income people with filing their tax returns.

Spanish-English translators are also needed. The program was set up to help those who cannot afford professional tax help, including people with disabilities, those whose English is limited, and older taxpayers. The goal of the program is to help taxpayers receive all the credits and deductions for which they may be eligible with no cost to the taxpayer.

VITA volunteers receive free training, and certification by the Internal Revenue Service. You can become certified online through the IRS Web site, www.irs.gov. training will take place in early January. Volunteer tax preparers must be certified prior to software training. are prepared on a computer program using tax preparation software. There is no legal risk to volunteer tax preparers. Volunteers are covered under the Volunteer Protection Act and are not accountable for tax returns filed to the IRS

The Chautauqua County Earned Income Tax Coalition, Chautauqua County Social Services Departments, the United Ways of Northern and Southern Chautauqua County, and Southwestern Independent Living Center sponsor the local VITA program.

If you are interested in helping, please call Patti Fickelscherer at the United Way of Northern Chautauqua County at 366-5424, Rose Lancione at Chautauqua County Social Services at 363-3512, or Fleurant at the United Way of Southern Chautauqua County at 483-1561.