Durham, NC -  

Duke Law School's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program (VITA) will begin offering free tax preparation services at no charge to low- and moderate-income households on Jan. 28.

Last year, about 40 VITA volunteers at Duke helped complete more than 275 returns, netting refunds of more than $430,000, including $305,000 in tax credits.

Tax credits, such as the Making Work Pay and Earned Income tax credits, reduce the amount of taxes you owe and, in some cases, result in a larger tax refund. But they aren't always easy to understand.

"Our volunteers are trained to look for all the credits possible," said Kim Burrucker, director of public interest and pro bono for Duke Law. "And since VITA doesn't charge for the service, employees get to keep all of the money that is saved."

Some participants may need to wait until mid-February to take advantage of the service due to last-minute changes to the tax law in mid December. The Internal Revenue Service is still updating certain tax forms, including those needed for people who wish to itemize.

"If someone wants to claim mortgage interest, charitable contributions, property taxes or other itemizations, they should not make an appointment with VITA until mid-February," Burrucker said. "It is just going to take the IRS that long to redo the forms, reprogram their system and push the updates out to us."

VITA volunteers complete returns for qualifying employees and members of the wider community. To qualify for VITA's services, participants must have income below the following thresholds:

• One-member household: $22,620
• Two-member household: $29,580
• Three-member household: $36,540
• Four-member household: $43,500
• Five-member household: $50,460

VITA volunteers will be at the Duke Credit Union at Erwin Square Plaza from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Jan. 28; Feb. 4, 11 and 25; March 18 and 25; and April 1 and 8. Call (919) 684-6704 to make an appointment. No walk-ins are accepted during the last hour of each day's session.

VITA volunteers will also host three sessions at International House for foreign nationals. To request an appointment, e-mail ihouse@duke.edu with "Tax Preparation Appointment" in the subject line.

For more information, including a full schedule and updates on the status of missing IRS forms, visit the VITA website.