The United Way has joined with the Internal Revenue Service to help low- to moderately low income families complete tax returns for free.

More than 20 volunteers are in training to help with the program, which aims to aid families making less than $49,000 annually in the completion of basic income tax forms. The free service will be offered in Vicksburg, Cary and Yazoo City from Jan. 14 through April 15.

The volunteers will be set up at Vicksburg Housing Authority offices at 131 Elizabeth Circle, but the days of the week have not been determined, said United Way Executive Director Barbara Tolliver.

Participants are required to bring W2 forms, Social Security cards for everyone being claimed on the tax return and identification.

“We are excited about this new venture for United Way,” Tolliver said. “We hope people will benefit by saving money from our services.”

She said more volunteers are needed.

“There are other roles for people besides actually filling out the forms,” she said. “We want to be sure our volunteers don’t get burned out.”

Roslyn Darden, on-site coordinator for Vicksburg, said providing tax-filing aid is not a new endeavor for the United Way.

“United Way in bigger communities has been doing this, and because of their success we want it to trickle down to smaller communities like Vicksburg” said Darden.

Separately, the Vicksburg chapter of the American Association of Retired Persons offers free tax help throughout the season at the Warren County-Vicksburg Public Library. The times for the upcoming tax season have not been announced.