The United Way of Lancaster County's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program is now scheduling appointments for tax preparation. The Lancaster VITA is one of more than 12,000 VITA programs across the country that help people file their taxes every year free of charge. The service is available to anyone who makes $62,000 or less and lives in Lancaster County.

The volunteer tax preparers at VITA go through at least 40 hours of tax law training and are certified by the IRS. Customers get professional service by trained volunteers who are equipped to identify tax refund opportunities for customers.

In response to the pandemic, VITA has modified the way it delivers services this year to keep both clients and volunteers safe. VITA now offers a totally contactless, virtual option through a partnership with Get Your Refund. Get Your Refund allows clients to securely upload their tax information and documents. They will receive a call from an IRS-certified tax preparer who will prepare the tax return, review it with them, and send a secure email file with the completed return.

There will also be Free File options and limited drop-off appointments at several locations throughout Lancaster County. Virtual and drop-off sites began operating on Jan. 25 to ensure that clients receive their refunds as quickly as possible.

To schedule a drop-off appointment at one of VITA's tax preparation sites around Lancaster County, readers may call the United Way's 211 referral service. Taxpayers can schedule appointments and obtain information about VITA locations, eligibility requirements, and other details by visiting http://www.freetaxpreplancaster.org.

VITA also offers a free online program that allows taxpayers to file federal and state tax returns at http://www.myfreetaxes.com.