The VITA/TCE tax assistance program located at the Bemidji Senior Center is
planning on operating again this year. How it will happen is still in the
planning stages but some general guidelines have been put into place. The plan is to limit
face-to-face contact between the volunteer and the client so as to reduce the exposure
for everyone involved. It will involve two visits to the Center by the taxpayer.

Assistance will be available by appointment only. The taxpayer will bring
their paperwork in and meet with a volunteer who will scan the documents into the
computer. The clients will leave with an appointment to return a week later.
In the meantime, another volunteer will call the client to clarify the
return and another volunteer will review it. When the clients return, they
will meet with a volunteer who will review the return with them. If it meets
with the clients' approval, they will sign the return, and the tax return
will be e-filed. All scanned documents will be deleted.

The earliest this could start is Thursday, Feb 11. Specific information will
be published as it is finalized. Appointments are not yet being scheduled, so
please wait to call.