Free tax assistance available throughout North Central Florida

GAINESVILLE — North Central Florida has a unique opportunity to rejuvenate its economy, one tax return at a time.

United Way is teaming up with the East Gainesville Development Corporation and the UF Levin College of Law to bring area residents Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA), made possible through an IRS grant.

Certified volunteer tax preparers are working to award eligible citizens with an Earned Income Tax Credit, a government initiative that has funneled millions of dollars back into communities around the nation.

This year, the program has expanded its reach through the addition of tax preparation sites in outlying towns including Alachua, Trenton, Bell and Starke. The service will be available in the city of Alachua by appointment between Jan. 25 and April 12 at First United Methodist of Alachua.

The VITA program is currently running and will be available until April, 15, 2010. Interested parties can simply call 2-1-1 to schedule an appointment at a convenient location.

For more information, call 2-1-1 or visit http://www.unitedwayncfl.org/VITA.aspx

United Way of North Central Florida is a locally governed organization dedicated to leading the community to focus on issues and build solutions that improve lives. United Way engages the community to identify the underlying causes of the most pressing local issues, develops strategies, mobilizes financial and human resources to address them, and measures the impact on our community. United Way tackles issues based on local needs in the areas of education, income and health.  For more information about United Way of North Central Florida, visit: www.unitedwayncfl.org.