Howard County Executive Ken Ulman announced the launch of  the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site, a pilot program that offers free tax assistance preparation and electronic filing to most taxpayers who earned up to $49,000 in 2011. VITA will operate out of the North Laurel Community Center from January 18 through April 14.

“Through the opening of this pilot site, we take another step forward to making and keeping all Howard County residents self sufficient,” said County Executive Ulman. “Working families who might otherwise pay hundreds of dollars for tax preparation and electronic filing can now use those funds to pay bills, weatherize their homes or save for their futures.”

For more information on the program visit: www.howardcountymd.gov/VITA.htm.