Free Tax Preperation

Southern Bancorp and Southern Bancorp Community Partners, in partnership with the IRS, are excited to offer free tax filing services through our IRS-sponsored Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites to income-eligible individuals and families. Tax season starts January 13, 2012. Contact us today at one of our many locations listed below to learn more.

Do You Qualify for an Earned Income Tax Credit?

Last tax season we helped more than 2,000 people file their taxes, and many were eligible for tax credits. Those who qualified received a combined total of almost $2 million in the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) alone. You are eligible for an     EITC if:

• You worked full- or part-time in 2011.
• You are between the ages of 25 and 65.
• You are unmarried and your income is up to:
  • $13,660 for workers with no children
  • $36,052 for workers with one qualifying child
  • $40,964 for workers with two or more qualifying children
  • $43,998 for workers with three or more qualifying children
• You are married and your income is up to:
  • $18,740 for workers without a child
  • $40,132 for workers with one qualifying child
  • $46,044 for workers with two or more qualifying children
  • $49,078 for workers with three or more qualifying children

Tax Year 2011 maximum credit:

• $5,751 with three or more qualifying children
• $5,112 with two qualifying children
• $3,094 with one qualifying child
• $464 with no qualifying children

Do You Qualify for a Child Tax Credit?

You may also qualify for a nonrefundable Child Tax Credit of up to $1,000 per child who:

• Is under age 17 at the end of the tax year.
• Is a United States citizen, national, or resident.
• Is claimed as your dependent.
• Is your son or daughter, adopted child, stepchild, eligible foster child, or a descendant of any of them, or is under your care as your own child if they are a brother, sister, stepbrother, stepsister, or a descendant of any of them (for example, your niece or nephew).
• Did not provide over half of his or her own support.
• Lived with the taxpayer for more than half of the tax year.

Southern Bancorp VITA Sites and Phone Numbers

For more VITA sites in your area, visit the IRS Web site and search for “VITA” or call 1.800.829.1040.