The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program will be available at various locations beginning at the end of January. Community members may have their taxes prepared for free by IRS-certified volunteers. Sites will open on Monday, Jan. 26, and remain open through the filing season deadline of Wednesday, April 15, subject to volunteer availability. Available services may be restricted by tax form and income, and there is no guarantee of a turnaround time.

Information about the individual locations is available by calling 610-380-9099 and the appropriate extension.

Tax preparation will be available at the Transformation Center, 645 E. Lincoln Highway, Coatesville, on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. as well as on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The site will be closed on Monday, Feb. 16. For more information, call ext. 104.

The Chester County United Way, 150 John Robert Thomas Drive, Exton, will host VITA from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesdays and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Fridays. The site will be closed on Friday, April 3. For more information, call ext. 210.

Open Hearth, 701 S. Main St., Phoenixville, will offer VITA on Mondays from 6 to 8 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. A parking lot is located at the back of the building, and free on-street parking is also available. The site will be closed on Feb. 16. To learn more, call ext. 220.

In Royersford, VITA will be offered at the office of Sen. Katie Muth, 338 Main St., on Thursdays from 5 to 7 p.m. Access at this location is by appointment only; to sign up, call ext. 240.

VITA will be available at Providence Church at Westside Community Center, 430 Hannum Ave., West Chester, on Mondays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. The site will be closed on Feb. 16. To learn more, call ext. 250.

Services will be available at Chester County Intermediate Unit, 455 Boot Road, Downingtown, from 6 to 8 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays. The site will be closed on Mondays, Feb. 16 and 23. To learn more, call ext. 200.

VITA services will be offered at Kennett Library, 320 E. State St., Kennett Square, on Wednesdays from 4 to 8 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more details, call ext. 108.

People may access VITA services at Family Services, 1976 E. High St., Pottstown, from 6 to 8 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays. The site will be closed on Feb. 16. For more information, call ext. 230.

People may also access VITA services at the Melton Center, 501 E. Miner St., West Chester, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays. To learn more, call ext. 109.

People seeking services at a VITA location should bring a photo ID for the primary and secondary taxpayers; all W2 and 1099 forms or other income forms; originals or copies of the Social Security cards of everyone on the return; 1098 education forms; 1095-A Health Insurance Marketplace forms; information for all deductions and credits, including child care costs with the provider's tax ID number; and a copy of last year's return if available. When dropping off a return, three forms must be completed. A volunteer will check the paperwork and scan the documents.

To get a head start on the forms, visit https://vitafreetaxhelp.org. Refunds will be available by direct deposit. People may also file for free at the aforementioned website. For more information, call 610-380-9099.