The VITA program is operated by Berks Encore. Returns are completed at each of our activity centers. More than 35 volunteers, mostly all senior citizens, prepare for any given tax season by attending 20 hours of tax training for Federal returns and six hours of tax training by the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue. The volunteers must also pass a five-hour tax test following their training sessions.

The VITA volunteers are able to prepare federal, state, and local tax forms, as well as, property tax and rent rebate forms and PACE/Pacenet applications.

In addition to the tax preparation at our center locations, some of the volunteers visit homebound individuals to prepare their returns.

Two of our volunteers, who are bilingual, handle just about all of the Hispanic tax returns, ranging from teens through senior citizens.

This service is available to all taxpayers; however, it is geared primarily to low to middle income residents and seniors.

Appointments can be made by calling Berks Encore at (610) 374-3195.