Carroll Nonprofit Offers Free Tax Preparation and Financial Education for Qualifying Households

Human Service Programs of Carroll County, Inc (HSP) is offering free tax preparation services for low to moderate income households through its IRS certified, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. 

Thousands of Carroll County residents qualify for this free service, according to an HSP news release. Low income workers receive vital tax credits, including the Earned Income Tax Credit that helps move millions of working families out poverty every year, according to the release.

The VITA Program generally offers free tax help to people who make $52,000 or less and need assistance in preparing their own tax returns. IRS-certified volunteers provide free basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals in local communities, according to the IRS website.

Through the VITA program, HSP aims to help low income workers keep more of their money and at the same time, learn how to spend and save responsibly.  

In Carroll County, HSP’s VITA Site is the only one providing financial education services in tandem with free tax preparation, according to HSP. Last year HSP's VITA site completed 451 tax returns, which generated $956,928 in refunds for our community. 

This year HSP officials said the organization expects to complete 600 returns and request refunds totaling well over $1 million for the working poor in Carroll County.

HSP will host its first annual “Free Tax Prep” Open House on Tuesday, Jan. 21, at 10 a.m. at HSP’s main office, 10 Distillery Drive, Suite G1 in Westminster. Light refreshments will be provided. The open house will include remarks from a past recipient of free tax prep services, an overview of the history of VITA, an explanation of the Earned Income Tax Credit, and information on scheduling a tax appointment.  

HSP is the Community Action Agency for Carroll County. The organization's mission is to improve the quality of life and self-sufficiency of at-risk and low-income residents by providing assistance with basic needs, advocacy, linkages to resources and opportunities to enhance life skills. As a private, 501c3 non-profit organization, HSP coordinates over 20 programs and manages over 30 different grant funding sources. 

Visit www.HSPinc.org and www.Facebook.com/HumanServicesPrograms for more information on HSP.


HSP will host its first annual “Free Tax Prep” Open House on Tuesday, Jan. 21, at 10 a.m. at HSP’s main office, 10 Distillery Drive, Suite G1 in Westminster. Light refreshments will be provided. The open house will include remarks from a past recipient of free tax prep services, an overview of the history of VITA, an explanation of the Earned Income Tax Credit, and information on scheduling a tax appointment.