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Montgomery County promotes free VITA tax help; appointments start Jan. 20 in Rockville
Summary
Montgomery County’s VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) program opens Jan. 20 at Rockville and offers countywide services beginning Jan. 26. Free, Spanish-language services and ITIN assistance are available; appointments are required at most sites and a walk-in day is planned for March 14.
Host Marcela Rodríguez Villagrán opened the program by highlighting Montgomery County’s VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) program and invited VITA specialist Eddie Méndez to explain how residents can get free help preparing their 2026 tax returns.
"This program VITA…es un programa nacional que es gratis," Méndez said, describing the county-run volunteer tax-preparation service staffed by certified volunteers and tax professionals. Méndez said the program assists county residents whose individual income is $69,000 or less and emphasized that the threshold is applied at the individual level when determining eligibility.
County VITA service begins Jan. 20 at the Rockville location on Rockville Pike; countywide sites will begin regular service Jan. 26. Most locations require appointments; Méndez provided a contact phone number to schedule and encouraged residents to leave a message if calls go unanswered. The program also offers virtual appointments on Fridays (11 a.m.–3 p.m.).
Méndez announced a special, no‑appointment walk‑in day on Saturday, March 14, from 1–3 p.m., at designated sites to serve residents who cannot secure weekday appointments. He also said ITIN (tax identification) assistance will be available again starting in March on selected weekdays and urged callers to bring required documentation.
The VITA team confirmed Spanish‑language assistance and telephone interpretation are available. Méndez warned listeners about paid preparer fraud and urged residents to use certified VITA volunteers, noting that some private preparers charge hundreds of dollars and that improper filings can lead to later penalties.
On federal tax-law changes, Méndez summarized recent adjustments that may affect refunds and certain credits (for example, changes to child-related credits and eligibility rules tied to taxpayer identification). He recommended residents consult a certified preparer to understand how new federal provisions apply to their returns.
The county provided operational details on air: Rockville (Jan. 20) as the initial site, countywide services (Jan. 26), the March 14 walk‑in event, and the phone number to make an appointment. Listeners were directed to Montgomery County online resources and to reserve slots early, as capacity fills quickly.
What’s next: Residents who want free tax preparation should call the county’s VITA line to schedule (phone provided on the county site) or visit the Montgomery County service pages for details and site locations.
