Free Summer Tax Prep Available for Lowcountry Residents Who Missed Deadline
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program is offering a free summer tax preparation program for qualifying residents of Beaufort and Jasper counties who missed the traditional tax filing deadline.
This program – a collaboration between the IRS, Beaufort County Human Services Alliance, and United Way of the Lowcountry (UWLC) – is designed to assist low-income individuals and families, non-English speaking taxpayers, people with disabilities, and seniors (age 60+) in accurately and efficiently filing their federal and state tax returns.
“We understand that filing taxes can be overwhelming, especially for those who have limited resources,” United Way Volunteer and VITA Program Coordinator Sherry Halphen said. “Our summer tax preparation program allows residents to receive free assistance from IRS-certified volunteers, ensuring they receive every deduction and credit they deserve.”
Program Details:
- What: Free tax preparation assistance by IRS-certified VITA volunteers.
- When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursdays, June 27, July 25, August 22 and September 26.
- Where: United Way of the Lowcountry Bluffton Office (10 Buckingham Plantation Drive, Suite D, Bluffton, S.C. 29910)
- Appointments Required: Call 843.321.9071 or email lowcountryvitacoalition@gmail.com
- Visit www.uwlowcountry.org/VITA for eligibility requirements and a list of documents to bring with you to your appointment.
Indivisible Beaufort meeting
Indivisible Beaufort will hold its June meeting at 11 a.m., Saturday, June 29 at the Beaufort Library Downtown at 311 Scott Street.
The topic will be “How to Deal with These Profoundly Disorienting Times,” and the featured speaker will be Reverend Lori Hlaban of Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Beaufort’
How do we cope with the anxiety of these disorienting times? There are no easy answers, but there are healthy ways to manage. Reverend Hlaban will lead a workshop on managing anxiety titled, “Hope for the Best — It May Happen!”
The event is free and open to the public.
Gadson earns Presidential honor
Beaufort’s Jonas Gadson has been honored with the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award.
The award was to be presented to Gadson on June 19, 2024 at the Overdue Recognition Art Gallery in Bowie, Md., by Cheryl Wood at her magazine unveiling where Gadson is one of several speaking professionals featured in her debut issue.
Gadson is President and CEO of Partners for Purposeful Living LLC, where he coaches and trains executives, professionals and business owners. He is a coach in public speaking and effective communication.
In December 2018, Beaufort Lifestyle Magazine featured Gadson on the cover and in an article about his positive impact in Beaufort and surrounding communities for his community involvement, ministry and volunteer work. He graduated from the Beaufort Chamber of Commerce Leadership Class and has been nominated twice for the Civitas Lifetime of Leadership Award.
After working for two Fortune 500 companies — Xerox Corporation and Eastman Kodak Company — for 30 years, Gadson took an early retirement to return to Beaufort in 2005 to care for his elderly mother. He established a mission work at the Beaufort Church of Christ where he helped thousands of people in Beaufort and across the country live better lives.
“Service is the rent that you pay for the space that you occupy on this planet, and some of us are behind on our rent,” Gadson says.
Licenses available July 1 for solid waste collectors, haulers
Beginning Monday, July 1, solid waste hauler licenses for 2024-2025 will be available for all associated collectors and haulers operating in Beaufort County. The County will not accept disposal charges at its approved landfills from collectors and haulers who do not have a valid license after August 1.
License fees are $100 per year for the first vehicle and $50 for each additional vehicle/decal.
Beaufort County’s Code of Ordinances requires that all contractors providing residential waste collection and transportation within the County have a license which, along with decals, can be obtained from either the Beaufort or Bluffton location of the Beaufort County Solid Waste and Recycling Department.
To schedule an appointment or if you have questions, please contact Beaufort County Solid Waste and Recycling Program Manager Victoria Hoffman at victoria.hoffman@bcgov.net or 843-255-2735.
