Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity Free tax Assistance

Print Story | Email Story
PITTSFIELD, Mass. Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity (CBHFH) once again will provide free income tax prep to households earning $64K or less, persons with disabilities, and the elderly through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. 
 
All VITA volunteers receive extensive training and are IRS-certified.
 
"Most of our volunteers return year after year to help with this essential program for our underserved
communities in Berkshire County," said Carolyn Valli, CBHFH CEO. "Over 85 percent of our clients are return clients that have come to us for the past 3 to 8 years. And most of that remaining 15% was from new clients we were able to serve in South County."
 
Last tax season, CBHFH reported that their 17 VITA volunteers processed 831 returns, totaling $963,832 in federal and state tax refunds to local households. 
 
"We've only been open a week this season, and it has been very busy already," said Lynne Newton, CBHFH Community Navigator and current VITA program coordinator. "But thanks to our wonderful volunteers, we are prepared and ready to help in any way our clients need."
 
Another plus is that, thanks to Habitat’s bilingual Community Navigators, CBHFH can offer Spanish and French translators to help explain the sometimes complicated forms and IRS requirements.
 
Habitat's office at 314 Columbus Avenue in Pittsfield has multilingual IRS forms, a copier, and a drop-off box with hours running Mondays through Thursdays from 8:30 am to 7:30 pm, Friday mornings from 8:30 am to noon, and Saturdays from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.
 
For South County, Habitat will offer service at the Mason Library at 231 Main St in Great Barrington, and VITA hours run from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays, beginning on February 6. For more information or to make an appointment at either location, residents can call 413.442.3184. VITA Volunteers are standing by to assist.

Tags: habitat for humanity,   

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Possible Measles Exposure at Boston, Logan

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirmed Wednesday that an out-of-state adult visitor who spent time in Boston and Westborough earlier this month was diagnosed with measles and was present in a number of locations.
 
This could have resulted in other people being exposed to measles virus.
 
The visitor arrived at Logan International Airport on American Airlines flight 2384 from Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, on Dec. 11 at 2:39 p.m. They stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Boston-Westborough in Westborough and departed the state on Dec. 12 via Logan at 9:19 p.m. on JetBlue flight 117 to Las Vegas.
 
DPH is working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local partners to identify and notify those who may have been exposed to measles from this individual.
 
"Measles is a highly contagious, airborne disease, which has increased significantly in the United States because of the unfortunate decrease in vaccination rates. It is also a preventable disease," said Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein. "This current situation serves as an important reminder of the critical role vaccination plays in protecting our communities. While Massachusetts has not had a measles case this year, 2025 saw the highest number of nationwide cases in more than a decade — nearly 2,000 in 44 jurisdictions, and sadly, three deaths. 
 
"Fifteen years ago, measles had been considered eliminated in the United States, but that tremendous progress is at risk. Vaccines are one of the most important public health interventions ever — they are safe, effective, and lifesaving."
 
Measles is very contagious. However, the risk to most people in Massachusetts is low because the vaccination rate in the state is high. People who are not immune and visited any of the locations on the following dates and times may be at risk for developing measles.
 
View Full Story

More Pittsfield Stories