Osvaldo Castillo
El Observador

With the deadline to file taxes (April 15) just over a month away, more and more people are rushing to get this task done. However, not everybody knows where to begin. Fortunately for these individuals, Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County and the County itself are offering their help and support this tax season.

Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County is offering low-cost tax preparation services to individuals, families, and small businesses. Fees for individuals range from $50 to $99 depending on household income. The fee for small businesses is $100.

Catholic Charities offers the low-cost tax preparation services by appointment only and help is available in a number of languages. For more information or to make an appointment, call (408) 325-5267.

The County of Santa Clara will be doing its part to help individuals file their taxes by inviting low income, elderly, limited English speaking and disabled residents to use the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA), a free annual service coordinated by the Internal Revenue Service and supported by over one hundred trained IRS certified volunteers.

Currently, more than 40 sites throughout the County are providing tax preparation support, including three County libraries and one Social Services location. Services will continue until mid-April and assistance is available to residents whose 2012 income was less than $51,000 and who are not filling as “Married, Filing Separate.”

Locations and schedule of County of Santa Clara VITA sites include:

Campbell Library

February 9 – April 13
77 Harrison Avenue, Campbell, CA 95008
Tuesdays: 6 – 8 pm. (not offered on 2/19 or 3/19)
Saturdays: 10 a.m.- 12 pm. (on 2/23 and 3/23, VITA services will run from 10 am-2 pm)
Walk-in Site
Assistance in English, Russian and Mandarin

Cupertino Library

February 2 – April 6 (Closed 2/23 and 3/9)
10800 Torre Ave,
Cupertino CA 95014
Saturdays: 1p.m. – 5 pm.
Walk-in and Self-Prep Site

Milpitas Public Library

February 16 – April 13
160 N. Main Street,
Milpitas, CA  95035
Saturdays: 10:00 – 2:00 pm.

Social Services Assistance Application Center – CalWORKs

January 29 – April 11
1879 Senter Rd. #10 San Jose, CA 95112
Tuesdays:  12 – 4 p.m.
Thursdays: 12 – 4 p.m.
Walk- in and Drop-Off Site
Assistance in English, Spanish and Vietnamese