The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program will be available at various locations beginning at the end of January. Sites will open on Monday, Jan. 27, and remain open through the filing season deadline of Tuesday, 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.

Community members may have their taxes prepared for free by IRS-certified volunteers. Services are available to individuals and families that meet certain eligibility criteria, including those with low to moderate incomes, seniors, and taxpayers with limited English proficiency.

Services are available on flexible schedules, including evenings and weekends.

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 4 p.m. as well as on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, call ext. 104.

Services will be available at Chester County Intermediate Unit, 455 Boot Road, Downingtown, from 6 to 8 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays. This location will be closed on Monday, Feb. 17. To learn more, call ext. 200.

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

VITA services will be available at Kennett Library, 320 E. State St., Kennett Square, on Mondays and Wednesdays from 5 to 8 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. For more details, call ext. 108.

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 in back of the building, and free on-street parking is also available. To learn more, call ext. 220.

People may access VITA services at Family Services, 1976 E. High St., Pottstown, from 6 to 8 p.m. on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, call ext. 230.

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 the Melton Center, 501 E. Miner St., West Chester, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursdays and Saturdays. To learn more, call ext. 109.

Members of the public may also receive assistance 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. To learn more, call ext. 250.

People seeking services at a VITA location should bring a photo ID for the primary and secondary taxpayer; 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. Returns will be filed electronically.

To get a head start on the forms, visit http://www.chestercountyfreetaxes.org, look under "For Tax Filers" and click on "Intake Forms." Refunds will be available by direct deposit. People may also file for free at the aforementioned website. For more information, call 610-380-9099.