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<p><strong>From staff reports</strong></p>
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<p>The Beaufort County Library continues the long-standing tradition of hosting free tax preparation assistance for Beaufort County citizens provided by Lowcountry Area VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) and American Association of Retired Persons (AARP).<br>In collaboration with the Beaufort County Human Services Alliance, United Way of the Lowcountry, Inc., the Lowcountry Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offers free tax help to persons generally earning $60,000 annually or less, differently-abled persons, persons 60 and older, and limited English-speaking persons.&nbsp;</p>
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<p>Further details about VITA services is available at http://bit.ly/3JEb6Ii<br>To volunteer or obtain more information, contact Volunteer Program Coordinator Sherry Halphen at <a href="mailto:lowcountryvitacoalition@gmail.com">lowcountryvitacoalition@gmail.com</a> or call 843-837-2000.<br>VITA tax assistance will be available at the following library locations:</p>
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<p><strong>– Lobeco Library:</strong> 1862 Trask Parkway, Saturdays (February 4 – April 15), 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.<br><strong>– St. Helena Library:</strong> 6355 Jonathan Francis Senior Road, Wednesdays (February 1- April 12), 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.<br><strong>– Beaufort Library: </strong>311 Scott Street, Mondays &amp; Thursdays (February 6- April 13), 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Closed February 20<br><strong>– Bluffton Library:</strong> 120 Palmetto Way, Open February 6 – April 10; Mondays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturdays 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. (February 25, March 11, March 25, April 8 by appointment only, call 251-616-0551 or email <a href="mailto:blufftonvita@gmail.com">blufftonvita@gmail.com</a>); Closed: February 20</p>
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<p>Volunteers with the AARP Tax-Aide Foundation program are providing tax preparation and e-filing service to local Beaufort County residents at the Bluffton and Hilton Head branch libraries.</p>
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<p><strong>Bluffton Branch Library</strong><br>Appointments are required and must be scheduled <a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMzAxMjYuNzA0NjgzNjEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3RheGFwcG9pbnRtZW50LmFhcnAub3JnL3MvcmVnaXN0cmF0aW9uP2xvY2F0aW9uSWQ9YTFybzAwMDAwMDBDd2hQQUFTJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSJ9.BVZVbEamiiQC01DrIqwINVEH2uJhT9EDbMbPhD0B9o4/s/566122596/br/153492680379-l">online</a>. Appointment times will be scheduled on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. starting February 1. For questions, contact 843-580-6321.</p>
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<p><strong>Hilton Head Branch Library</strong><br>Walk-ins are welcome every Tuesday from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., starting Tuesday, Feb. 7 and will continue through Tuesday, April 11. For questions, contact 843-564-8449.&nbsp;</p>
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<p>Visit <a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMzAxMjYuNzA0NjgzNjEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5hYXJwLm9yZy9tb25leS90YXhlcy9hYXJwX3RheGFpZGUvbG9jYXRpb25zLz9pbnRjbXA9RkROLUxPQ0FUT1ItSE9NRVBBR0UtVFhULUxJTksmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWdvdmRlbGl2ZXJ5In0.c3yejLlLt-q89Sdrb5XcBNh91dKY6emPvl0ejTlKuEs/s/566122596/br/153492680379-l">AARP Tax-Aide</a> for further information. For details regarding tax help at the library, please visit the Library’s <a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDMsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMzAxMjYuNzA0NjgzNjEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5iZWF1Zm9ydGNvdW50eWxpYnJhcnkub3JnL3RheGVzP3V0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSJ9.bzS41X3H-ofeVHlbBZJ_2ibgU4fNvr_WR7ERJMec38o/s/566122596/br/153492680379-l">Tax Help page</a>.<br>For more information regarding BCL programs and events, please contact Theresa Furbish, Programs and Events Librarian, at 843-255-6442 or <a href="mailto:theresa.furbish@bcgov.net">theresa.furbish@bcgov.net</a>.</p>
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