SALISBURY — The last day to file taxes is April 15 and many people are using the days they have left to get everything straightened out to ensure the taxman doesn’t come for them.

Just like last year and the year before that, Rufty-Holmes Senior Center is partnering with the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program to host free tax filing sessions for anyone who requires a little extra help during this stressful time of the year. 

While the program does take place at Rufty-Holmes, it’s not limited to seniors or members specifically, but for people who earn less than $64,000 a year. 

“It’s not only open to Rowan County residents, we will accept folks from nearby counties, too. Obviously, it’s designed for older adults who are seniors, but we work to be as inclusive and incorporate as many people as we can,” Rufty-Holmes Community Resource Manager Ron Church said. 

Certified public accountant and Salisbury City Council Member David Post is once again the program’s site coordinator whose job it is to make sure the program runs efficiently. 

Post said two years ago they had 624 appointments, last year they had 1,010, and this year they plan to do 1,300. 

“This is a perfect example of collaborating with volunteers to do what’s best for the community. There’s very few programs that will impact the number of people that the VITA program does in our community,” Rufty-Holmes Executive Director Heather Kincel said. 

Post leans into how this can financially benefit Rowan County. Post estimates the average tax return they do is $1,200 to $1,300 and those figures can add up quickly. 

“You take 1,300 returns, that’s $1.5 to $2 million that comes back into the community and this money doesn’t leave the community, these are people who spend that to buy groceries here, buy gas for their cars. It’s a way to help your community economically,” Post said.

Overall, there are 45 VITA volunteers and 12 Rufty-Holmes volunteers who work hard to keep the program going. Given all of the contributors, Post is confident in their abilities to offer much needed support. 

“I hate to say it, we don’t sweat. We can do more with what we got. We got 42 appointments today, we can do 60,” Post said. 

Last year, Post had the desire to expand VITA’s hours to let people stop by after work when it’s most convenient for them. This year, their Monday shifts go until 6:30 p.m. to allow for this accommodation. 

Post said he is interested in branching out the program to other areas in Rowan County in the coming years. He also expects to meet with his volunteers shortly on how to make improvements for next year’s VITA program. 

“I think this is a service organization. I just want to provide as much service to as many people as possible. That’s my only goal. It all just boils down to providing more to more people,” Post said.