PICKENS COUNTY — Tax season is almost open us. Employers should be sending out tax documents to their employees soon.

A joint effort by Americorps members and the United Way aims to offer residents some financial relief this year.

The United Way Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program provides free basic income tax assistance to low and moderate income families in Pickens and Greenville Counties.

The program is open to anyone in those counties who earns under $50,000 a year.

Pickens County VITA sites are the Capt. Kimberly Hampton Memorial Library in Easley, the Village Branch Library in Pickens, SHARE, the ARC of Pickens County, Clemson Community Care, Inc., the Pickens County YMCA and Pickens County Seniors Unlimited.

Those sites won’t begin offering tax assistance until January 18, but you can make your appointment today by calling 2-1-1. When you make your call, 2-1-1 call specialists will let you know what documents you’ll need to bring to your VITA appointment so VITA volunteers can prepare your taxes.

Last year, VITA officials told the Progess that the average tax return for those filing their returns with VITA in 2009 was $1,248.

Know someone in Greenville who could benefit from VITA tax assistance?

The Greenville County VITA sites are the Piedmont Emergency Relief Center, Simpsonville Center for Community Services, Taylors First Baptist Church, United Ministries, Nicholtown Community Center, YWCA of Greenville, Greenville Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Lakeview Middle School, Sargent Branch Library, Hughes Main Library, Fountain Inn Library, Greer Relief and Resources Agency.

Know someone who could use a little extra help these year? Tell them to stop by the Benefit Bank, a program offered by the United Way and Americorps. The program helps people discover government assistance programs that they may be eligible for.

The Benefit Bank will be held in many locations throughout Pickens County, including at the Hampton Memorial library when free and confidential information is available at The Benefit Bank on the following days and times: Tuesdays 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.; Wednesdays 10 a.m. – 12 p.m; and Thursdays 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.Assistance is offered on a first come, first served basis. Ask at the Reference Desk.

For more information, please call the library at 850-7077 or visit The Benefit Bank website at: http://www.thebenefitbank.com/SouthCarolinaOutreach or call 211.