By Chris Levister

Sitting in the kitchen of her Rialto home Glenda Adams is pondering how she's going to spend her $1600 tax refund. "I want to go back to school. My car needs repair. The kids need new shoes. My credit cards are maxed out."

This time last year Adams was humming a different tune. "I don't make a lot of money so I never bothered to file. I never figured I'd be eligible for a refund.

This tax season under the Internal Revenue Service's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) tax preparers will help thousands of low income people fill out their taxes. The service is free and the average filer gets back $1,200. Like Adams, many simply don't file taxes or if they do, don't know how to collect all they're owed.

"I wasn't the best math student in my class. In fact I have a lot of trouble with a calculator. It's easier to file the W-2 in one of these kitchen baskets out of sight-out of mind," said Adams.

Those out of sight out of mind W-2's add up to refunds - lots of them. Last year VITA volunteers helped people get back millions of dollars and much of that money stayed in the filer's community.

"Recycling the money into the local economy while giving some back to low income families is a win win," said James Preston, a Rialto accounting student and VITA volunteer.    

Volunteers like Preston are sponsored by various public and non-profit organizations. They receive IRS certified training to help prepare basic tax returns in communities across the country.

"It's a good feeling to hear someone from a struggling family say, ‘I had no idea I could get a refund', says Adams. "So I take good care of them and they'll come back next year."

Preston stressed the program promotes saving money. However, he says the vast majority of people who seek help have an immediate need for their refund. The money they get back usually ends up making ends meet, he said.

The IRS also offers filing help to seniors and military personnel. The Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) Program provides free tax help to people age 60 and older.

Under the Armed Forces Tax Council (AFTC) marines, airmen, sailors, soldiers, guardsmen, and their families worldwide receive free tax preparation assistance at offices within their installations.

VITA and TCE sites are generally located at community and neighborhood centers, churches, libraries, schools, shopping malls, or other convenient locations. Most locations also offer free electronic filing.

Inland Empire locations include the Norman Feldheym Public Library, downtown San Bernardino; Highland Senior Center, 3102 Highland Avenue, Highland; Casablanca Family Learning Center, 2585 Madison Avenue, Riverside; AARP Center, 3713 Tibbitts Street, Riverside.

To locate the nearest VITA or TCE site, call 1-800-829-1040.