PNC Bank, Pittsburgh, will again support the Internal Revenue Service’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, which provides free tax assistance to low- and moderate-income taxpayers.
The VITA program deploys IRS-certified volunteers who are available to provide tax filing assistance for people who generally earn less than $54,000 a year. Additional services offered at VITA locations by PNC include financial education programs. No-cost refund check cashing is available at participating sites and designated PNC branches.
“We are very grateful to have financial institutions across the country participating in our VITA program,” said Ken Corbin, commissioner, IRS Wage and Investment Division. “We recognize the value they bring in providing free tax preparation and financial education assistance to low-income taxpayers and communities across the country.”
“Free check-cashing services and affordable prepaid refund cards are some of the many resources PNC offers as part of the support we offer taxpayers in low-income communities,” said Cathy Niederberger, managing director of PNC Community Development Banking.
In addition to providing a no- or low-fee check cashing for VITA clients without bank accounts, VITA participants have the option to receive their tax refunds loaded onto PNC-branded Visa refund cards. In 2017, approximately 955 PNC cards were distributed to VITA clients.
Taxpayers who visit a VITA site are advised to bring a photo ID, Social Security card, wages and earnings statements from all employers, interest statements from banks, a copy of their previous year’s tax return if available, and other relevant information about income and expenses.
PNC teams will be available at sites in Washington, D.C., and 16 states, including Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. A list of sites and available dates can be found here.