New Hanover County preparing to offer free tax assistance

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The official start to the 2025 tax season is less than two weeks away and starting next month, New Hanover County residents can receive free tax preparation help.

Trained IRS-certified volunteers will provide tax help through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and AARP tax-aide programs.

This is the 47th year of the free tax preparation and filing services.

Last year, they served between 2,000 and 2,5000 individuals through the program.

Cully Shelton is an Americorp seniors program manager who helps host the county program.

He said there is no age restriction on who can get help.

“Anyone with low to moderate income can come and seek services with the VITA tax program,” Shelton said. “There is no age restrictions so you can be a younger individual or an older adult and our volunteers would be able to help serve you if you were eligible and qualify for the program.”

The program will be available at the New Hanover County Senior Resource Center off South College Road and at the main library location at 201 Chestnut Street.

The free service begins February 3rd and continues through April 15th.