Winston-Salem – Effective June 1, 2020, ESR will resume tax site services at one location only – ESR’s office at 3480 Dominion Street in Winston-Salem. This site will be open for appointments only from 9 am-3pm, Monday –Thursday.

Due to COVID-19 and the stay-at-home order issued by the City of Winston-Salem, ESR opted to close its tax sites effective March 19, 2020 until further notice. The decision was made in an effort to protect clients coming in and out of the seven ESR tax sites throughout Forsyth County, as well as the more than 120 volunteers that help run the sites.

Residents with a household income of $56,000 and below are invited to have their taxes prepared at no cost using ESR’s free tax preparation services, adapted to help protect clients, volunteers, and staff from COVID-19. ESR’s lobby entrance has been set up for social distancing for clients, volunteers, and staff. ESR would like for each client to wear a mask, if possible.  If clients do not have a mask, they will be given one, based on availability. Plastic protective shields will be installed in the tax consultation area.

A tax greeter will receive the intake documents in a designated area, and taxes will be prepared in the tax lab while the client waits in the lobby. Clients will not be allowed to enter into the tax lab. Clients may also drop off their tax information, allowing the client to leave and pick up the return at a scheduled time. Appointments for these services may be made by calling ESR at 336-722-9400 ext. 164 or 172.  Residents are still able to prepare their taxes online at no charge if they have a household income of $66,000 or below. The free tax preparation site can be found at www.myfreetaxes.com.

Following the July 15^th extension for tax preparation that was set by the government, the VITA Program will assume it’s normal after-tax-season service, contingent upon the government not extending tax preparation beyond July 15^th.  These services will include continuance of 2019 tax return preparation; prior years’ tax returns; amendments and tax return resolutions.

ESR is continuing to provide services for other programs as well. Public hours are from 9-4 pm. Open orientation will still be held on Tuesdays from 10-11 am, and Thursdays from 3-4 pm. Client meetings are taking place via phone.

ESR would like to give a special thanks to tax volunteers, tax sites, staff members, funders, Mask the City, and Hanesbrands for their dedication and continued support.

ESR’s mission is to empower social and economic self-reliance for the working low-income and homeless. For more information, please call 336-722-9400.