Indy Looking For Free Tax Prep Volunteers

An annual service offering free tax preparation for Indianapolis residents is looking for volunteers.

Indy Free Tax Prep is a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program that resulted in more than $7 million in returns last year.

City leaders say that is important not only for individuals, but the whole economy, as well.

"We've been lucky in Indianapolis that we've increased the dollar amount every year, so it was about a 6.8 percent increase over the amount of refunds we were able to get back for tax payers this year," said Kate McKnight with the IRS. "The number of returns tend to go up each year."

The program is looking for about 300 volunteers to help with the effort including those who will prepare tax forms.

"Especially in tough economic times, if you just think about what we are going through and have been going through the last few years, we've had lots of our community partners that will say to people, like if they are in a credit repair program, 'you don't have to spend $150-$250 to get a tax return prepared, these folks can do it for free,'" said McKnight.

Anyone can receive the free tax assistance if their household income is $58,000 or less.

Indianapolis First Lady Winnie Ballard, who leads Indy’s Campaign for Financial Fitness, says the program has a ripple effect throughout the local economy.

"By spreading the word that you can keep all your tax refund money if you come and see us, once they find out, they go 'wow, this is a lot of savings. I can buy more groceries.  I can buy more milk for my kids,'" she said.

Volunteers can start signing up now.  The tax prep will be delayed a little this year because of the federal government shutdown, but should begin near the end of January.