InterServ works to help low-income households file taxes

By Kyle Schmidt

Tax season can be nerve-wracking, especially for those who can’t afford services to help, but community members in need don’t have to handle it alone.

InterServ is offering tax help to those with a low income or other eligible people in need. Mike Ritter, InterServ volunteer service manager, spoke about the program’s goals.

“Among the grants that we receive through the IRS is the T.C. grant, which is tax counseling for the elderly,” Ritter said. “It’s really designed to help folks that have low or limited income be able to receive some free tax preparation services so that they don’t have the additional cost of having to hire a professional tech service.”

InterServ will be moving this service to the Downtown library in St. Joseph. People who need help can sign up by calling 816-558-3240.

“Our ultimate goal is to always put close to a million dollars back into the hands of local taxpayers, which also puts a big chunk of that back into the local economy,” Ritter said. “Really don’t know what to expect this year with the changes we have been making, but we would like to get close to $700,000 worth of tax returns filed for folks if we can.”

Ritter said the program has been running for nearly 30 years and has helped out many people in St. Joseph.

“It’s usually for folks that make $60,000 or less. We also try to serve as many folks with disabilities that we can that might have any difficulty getting out into the community to get their taxes filed. Veterans, those kind of folks,” Ritter said. “So anybody who has a challenge and has limited income is more than happy or more than welcome to reach out to us and see if we can provide services for them.”