Complex tax laws and complicated forms present a challenge for many people each year when income tax filings are due. The Internal Revenue Service understands that some people may not be able to pay a tax preparer, especially in these challenging times. That’s where the IRS’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program can help.

Established more than 50 years ago, the program offers free basic tax preparation help to:

• People who generally make $57,000 or less;
• Persons with disabilities; and
• Limited English-speaking taxpayers.

All VITA volunteers who prepare returns are trained in tax laws, privacy and confidentiality. They must also meet or exceed IRS standards to be certified in tax preparation. In addition, the IRS requires that every return prepared by a VITA volunteer undergo a quality review check prior to filing.

Hawaii FCU will continue to offer the services of its VITA volunteers to those in the community who qualify, even as the IRS reports that many VITA sites will be closed or not operating at full capacity this year.

“We have always been committed to serving our community,” said Steve Goo, Hawaii FCU President and CEO. “As we do our part to rebuild the state’s economy, we must also ensure assistance is provided to those in our community who are often overlooked and underserved.”

Appointments are being scheduled for February 1, 2021 through March 31, 2021. To schedule an appointment and obtain a list of documents to bring with you, please call Hawaii FCU at (808) 441-4285.

Have you noticed signs at cash registers around town requesting that customers make purchases with exact change? No, we are not having a nationwide “coin shortage,” but the pandemic has indirectly left financial institutions and businesses a little “short changed.”

With more people staying at home and shifting to online purchases, there has been a dramatic decrease in coin circulation. As a result, coin allocations delivered to financial institutions have been limited, affecting the amount they can distribute to their business members or customers.

We could use your help. If you have a lot of coins in your loose change jar at home, cash them in at Hawaii FCU so we can help our members and local businesses. Check your car cup holders, dig between your sofa cushions, and empty your piggy banks, too.

Hawaii FCU is happy to provide coin wrappers to make it easier for you to bring in your coins. We will also accept unwrapped coins, but ask that you please count and separate your coins by denomination. Mahalo for helping us to keep coins in circulation!