Know where to go for free tax preparation assistance in Southwest Washington

For those who could use help filing their taxes this year, here are two free resources:

Community Housing Resource Center

The CHRC is a volunteer tax assistance site (VITA) with trained and certified tax preparers. For taxpayers who want to learn how to file their own taxes, the VITA staff is available to walk people through the steps.Taxpayers can either fill out their tax forms by hand or use the CHRC computers and free tax software. Staff members at this agency are equipped to assist with filing Oregon or Washington tax returns through April 15. Services are reserved for people with a total annual household income of less than $57,000. Assistance is available, for English and Spanish speakers living in Clark and Skamania counties, by appointment only. Call 360-425-3430, ext. 248. For further information and a list of documents that tax filers will need to bring with them to their appointment, check their website.

Lower Columbia CAP

This tax assistance program is in partnership with the Cowlitz Asset Building Coalition and the AARP. Tax filers can either go to specific locations in Longview to receive assistance, or they can self-file using the Internet and free tax assistance software. E-filing can be  from home; from WorkSource office computers located at 305 S. Pacific in Kelso; from Goodwill at 710 14th Ave., Longview; or from the CAP Financial Independence Center, 1526 Commerce Ave., Longview. The free software can be accessed at www.icanefile.org 24 hours a day.

Whether tax filers choose to get assistance from the CAP staff or use the computers and free software, no appointment is necessary. Tax aides can assist in preparing both Oregon and Washington returns.

Check the Lower Columbia Community Action Program website for the sites where tax preparation assistance is available and the hours that they are open.