AppCAA gets grant for income tax assistance program

GATE CITY – Appalachian Community Action and Development Agency, Inc.'s 2026 income tax assistance service has a $27,000 funding boost.The Virginia Community Action Partnership grant of $27,000 will help with operations for the AppCAA's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, agency Executive Director Amy Bowen said Wednesday."Being one of 19 grantees from across the Commonwealth enables us to impact the lives of individuals and families as we continue our VITA work as we have for nearly 20 tax filing seasons," said Bowen. The VACAP grant is part of a $485,725 total award to 21 community coalitions across Virginia to volunteer income tax service programs. Funded by the General Assembly and Governor's office, the grant - Virginia CASH Campaign - provides opportunities for taxpayers to file both federal and state tax returns, claim tax credits like the federal Child Tax Credit and both the federal and state Earned Income Tax Credit and link taxpayers with financial empowerment opportunities."Community volunteers, trained and certified by the IRS, have been the backbone of the program," said VACAP President and CEO Erik Johnston. "The total state investment in this program yields a return of $45 for every $1 invested."AppCAA will start assisting customers with federal and state tax filing on:- Feb. 2 at the main office, 175 Military Lane, Gate City- Feb. 3 at the Lee County office, 119 Hill St., Jonesville- Feb 12, 10 a.m. – noon at 302 Hanging Rock Parkway, Dungannon - the former Scott County Head Start buildingThe Internal Revenue Service income limit for tax assistance through the VITA program is $67,000 per year. AppCAA provides "drop off" only tax preparation, where clients drop off their tax documents instead of staying on-site through the entire tax preparation process. With Drop-Off, tax clients will complete intake on-site then AppCAA's team of IRS-certified tax preparers will prepare and quality review your tax return. When returns are complete, clients will be texted or called to return to the tax site. Clients can apply for the VITA Tax Preparation Program at www.appcaa.org and click on the "apply now" link.Tax forms and the Intake/Interview Sheet can be emailed to taxprep@appcaa.org. Online- AppCAA - www.appcaa.org.; Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AppCAA