Free tax preparation for low income Lee residents
Consumer Credit Counseling (CCC) and the United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades have launched free tax preparation services for hard-working people and their families. The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program (VITA) provides free and confidential filing of tax returns by IRS certified volunteers starting in January 15, 2010. A kick-off and demonstration was held at United Way headquarters today.
Over 70 volunteers tax preparers have been trained and certified by the IRS to do the free tax preparation. Volunteers have come from accounting programs at FGCU, Hodges University, Edison College and other schools in the area. In addition, some volunteers are retired professionals and others are returning volunteers from last year’s VITA program.
A prime goal of the service is to help tax payers who qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) to receive it. A large number of taxpayers who could qualify for the EITC do not claim it. Last year, the Consumer Credit Counseling Service and United Way tax service partnership generated over $277,000 dollars in refunds for residents of Lee and Hendry Counties. 217 lower income individual and joint filers received an average of $1280 each. This year the goal is to double the number of tax returns prepared and could bring over $500,000 back to families who really need it. Because of IRS tax changes, a family of 4 with an income of $49,500 might receive as much as $6,000 in refund (depending on their deductions and other credits).
By establishing the free tax service sites CCC and the United Way increase the number of residents applying for and receiving Earned Income Tax Credits (EITC) and Child Tax Credits. Both credits are federal tax benefits designed to assist low and moderate income workers in increasing their financial stability.
Services are available at the following sites:
CAPE CORAL UNITED WAY HOUSE
SUNCOAST COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTER
ESTERO-SAN CAROLOS UNITED WAY HOUSE
BONITA UNITED WAY HOUSE
DUNBAR UNITED WAY HOUSE
EAST FORT MYERS UNITED WAY HOUSE
LABELLE UNITED WAY HOUSE
LEHIGH UNITED WAY HOUSE
Also, there will be free tax preparation available on special days at Lee Memorial, Goodwill and Enterprise Rent-a-Car locations for their own employees only.
For the 2009 tax year, the services are targeted to families with children earning less than $49,000. Individuals and families will be asked to provide the following to the tax preparers at the time of service:
Valid Social Security numbers for taxpayer, spouse and qualifying children
All W-2 was and tax statements for 2008
Photo ID for signers (if filing jointly, both filers must be present to sign the return)
2008 tax return and other tax information
The Free Tax Preparation VITA sites open in January and will continue through April 15, 2010. The locations for VITA tax assistance are as follows:
Appointments are required and can be made through the United Way 211 program. Dial 2-1-1 or 239-433-3900 to make an appointment or for additional information.
Source: United Way