On both sides of the Ohio River, there are a number of organizations providing free assistance for eligible residents in filing their income taxes.

In West Virginia the VITA program has been in effect since mid-January.

In this area it's offered by the Community Resources office, and serves people with incomes of $49,000 a year and less.

"Several people have their W-2's the second week in January," says VITA Coordinator Rose Kinney, "and are anxious to get their tax returns back, so we open our sites early. The rest of the VITA sites open the first week in February."

In Washington County, the Caring Connection on Scammel Street in Marietta also provides free tax return assistance.

It has served 30 families within the past month.

It can be reached by calling 740-376-9903.