Tax preparation assistance available in Lehigh Valley
DeSales accounting students to provide free tax assistance
Junior and senior accounting students from DeSales University will provide tax preparation assistance free of charge to senior citizens, those with incomes below $54,000, people with disabilities, students, military, and those who speak English as a second language.
The DeSales University VITA program will be offered March 29. The program is part of the United States Internal Revenue Service’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program.
To schedule a VITA appointment, individuals can call 610-2821100, ext. 1868. A DeSales student will return the phone call and provide assistance accordingly. Individuals needing assistance should bring all printed tax information and all documents pertaining to federal, state, and local taxes with them to their appointment.
The program is sponsored by the IRS and supervised by Dr. Christopher R. Cocozza, division head of DeSales University’s Division of Business and professor of business. Cocozza has served as VITA coordinator at DeSales since the program was initiated at DeSales in 2001. Cocozza holds a bachelor’s in accounting and law degree from Fordham University and a master’s of law from New York University.
AARP tax assistance program available
Most sites will operate by appointment only, no walk-ins while some sites will accept walkins. Details regarding appointments and walk-ins will be listed
for each site.
Tax return preparation will begin in early February ending before April 15.
Specific dates and times are listed for each open site. Do not call the sites unless a phone number is noted below. For information on a Tax-Aide site near you, you can also call 1-888-AARPNOW (1-888227-7669).
ALLENTOWN
Details on how/when to make appointments for Tax Year 2023 tax documents are listed for each specific open site.
St. Peters Lutheran Church, 1933 Hanover Ave, 12:30-4:30 p.m. Tuesdays by appointment only. Tax preparation will be held through April 9. Walk in to set up appointments will continue during site normal operation hours only. Call 484-602-5278 for information.
Calvary Moravian Church, 948 N. 21 St., corner of Livingston St. Taxpayers must call 484-891-0971 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday to make appointments
through April 12. Call 484-8910971 anytime for more information. Do not call the church. No walk-ins accepted.
Lehigh Valley Active Life, 1633 W. Elm St. To make an appointment, call 610-437-3700 after 9:30 a.m. weekdays. Taxes will be prepared on Saturdays only, through April 13. No walk-ins accepted.
Allentown Public Library, Open Saturdays only. This site will be a drop-off site only. No returns will be prepared on site. For information, call 484-602-5352.
LEHIGH COUNTY
Slatington Vigilant Fire Co. Hall, E. Church and S. Walnut streets, Slatington. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesdays. Appointments can be made calling 484-272-5129. Leave a message if there is no answer.
Emmaus Moravian Church, Main and Keystone streets, 8:30 a.m. to noon Tuesdays by appointment only, no walk-ins. All clients should remain in their car and a volunteer will come to their cars and assign numbers.
Wescosville Recreation Center, 5047 Hamilton Blvd. 8:30 a.m. to noon Wednesdays through April 10. Advance appointments are required and can be made by calling 484-820-1480 to schedule an appointment.
Lower Macungie Library, 3450 Brookside Road, 1-5 p.m. Thursdays Feb. 8 through April 11. Advance appointments required. Appointments can be made by calling 484-232-8807.
Parkland Community Library, 4422 Walbert Ave., Allentown. Tax preparation by appointment only 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays. Contact Marianne Kmetz at 610-398-1361, ext. 117 between 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday only. You may also apply in person. A detailed information packet will be available at the library with required forms to be filled out in advance.
BETHLEHEM AREA
For the following sites, call 484-935-3472. Leave your name, phone number and the best time for us to return your call. A scheduler will call you to set up an appointment. Walk-ins not accepted.
Hellertown Library, 9 a.m. to noon Mondays.
Bethlehem Salvation Army, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays.
Southern Lehigh Library, 1-4 p.m. Wednesdays.
St. Thomas United Church of Christ, 1-4 p.m. Wednesdays.
College Hill Moravian Church, 1-4 p.m. Thursdays.
Advent Moravian Church, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fridays.
Nativity Cathedral Church, 1-4 p.m. Tuesdays.
NORTHAMPTON COUNTY
Northampton Recreation Center, 1 Lerchenmiller Drive, by appointment only, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays. Call 484-282-0767 for information.
Slate Belt Senior Center, 707 American Bangor Road, Bangor. Call 484-272-7823 for an appointment 9-11 a.m. Wednesdays.
Christ UCC Church, 109 S. Chestnut St., Bath. Call 484-275-0526 for an appointment 9-11 a.m. Fridays.
Memorial Library of Nazareth, 295 E. Center St., Nazareth. Call 484-488-7219 for an appointment 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays.
St. John’s Lutheran Church, 200 S. Broad St., Nazareth. Call 484-272-7440 for an appointment 9-11 a.m. Thursdays.
EASTON Easton Area Community Center,
901 Washington St. Call 484-2682790 for an appointment 9-11 a.m. Saturdays.
Park Plaza Senior Community Center, 1800 Sullivan Trail, Suite 140, Easton. Call 484-246-9180 for an appointment 9-11 a.m. Tuesdays.
Mary Meuser Library, 1803 Northampton St., Easton. Call 484-488-7154 for an appointment 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays.
Bethlehem Township Community Center, 2900 Farmersville Road, Bethlehem. Call 484-4887238 for an appointment noon to 2 p.m. Mondays.
Easton Area Public Library, 515 Church St. Call 484-272-5933 for an appointment 2-4 p.m. Thursdays.
CARBON COUNTY
Appointments can be made by calling 610-824-7830, ext. 4511.
Palmerton Senior Center, 501 Delaware Ave. 1-4 p.m. Thursdays.
Kidder Township Muni Bldg., Corner of Route 1003 and Route 903. 9 a.m. to noon Wednesdays.
Lehighton Rec Center, 243 S. Eighth St. 1-4 p.m. Tuesdays.