Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity offers Free Tax Assistance

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — For more than a dozen years, Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity (CBHFH) has provided free income tax preparation to qualifying households through the IRS-supported Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.
 
Services are available to households earning $69,000 or less, as well as individuals with disabilities and older adults.
 
All VITA volunteers complete extensive training and are IRS-certified. According to CBHFH CEO Carolyn Valli, the program's success is rooted in both volunteer commitment and community trust.
 
"Most of our volunteers return year after year to support this essential service for underserved residents of Berkshire County," said Valli. "More than 85 percent of our clients are returning clients, and much of the remaining 15 percent are new clients from South County whom we've recently been able to reach."
 
VITA services will begin Monday, January 26, with both drop-off options and scheduled appointments available to assist residents with their tax paperwork.
 
"Thanks to our dedicated volunteers, we're fully prepared to support our clients throughout tax season," said Lynne Newton, CBHFH Community Navigator and VITA Program Coordinator. "We're here to help in whatever way best meets their needs."
 
CBHFH also offers language support, including Spanish interpretation by appointment, to ensure residents feel comfortable navigating IRS requirements.
 
"Tax time can be stressful," Newton added. "Having documents explained in your native language can make a meaningful difference and help ease anxiety."
 
Service Locations & Hours
 
Pittsfield –Appointments available at 314 Columbus Avenue and Federal Credit Union Community Space, 75
Kellogg St.
  • Mondays through Wednesdays: 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
  • Thursday: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
South County – Mason Library 231 Main Street, Great Barrington
  • Tuesdays & Thursdays: 2:00 p.m. – 5:45 p.m.
  • Wednesdays: 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
MCLA - VITA tax preparation is also available by appointment only.
 
To schedule an appointment, call 413.442.3184.
 
For more information or to make an appointment at any location, residents can call 413.442.3184 or visit www.berkshirehabitat.org/VITA.
 
 
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Combined No-HItter Lifts Pittsfield Babe Ruth Team to Regional Tourney

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires.com Sports
PITTSFIELD, Mass. – Kevin Smith was dominant, and the Pittsfield Babe Ruth 16-year-old All-Stars offense gave him just enough support to secure a 2-1 win over Westfield in the Western Massachusetts Championship Game on Sunday afternoon.
 
Smith struck out 11 in six innings before Cooper Reed delivered a scoreless seventh as the pair combined on a no-hitter and Pittsfield claimed a berth in next weekend’s New England Regional Championship in Stamford, Conn.
 
“I felt pretty good,” Smith said after his second outing of the three-team tournament. “I was mainly throwing fastballs until they started hitting it, and then I went with the off-speed.”
 
Smith threw two innings in Pittsfield’s five-inning win over Southern Berkshire in the tournament opener.
 
Sunday afternoon, when the game was in the balance on every pitch, was more his speed.
 
“I love it,” he said of the one-run game. “I like feeling the pressure on me and I’m getting the job done. It feels good afterwards.”
 
Smith struck out eight of the first 10 batters he faced, pitching around walks in the first and second innings and facing just two over the minimum through three.
 
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