Volunteer Tax Preparers to continue to offer services in the community
Providence, RI (April 23, 2010) – With the tax-filing deadline extended to May 11, United Way of Rhode Island (UWRI) announced today that several of the nonprofit’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites will remain open for an extra month.
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IRS-certified volunteer tax preparers at the locations will continue to complete tax returns for free for working families and individuals making $49,000 or less. Individuals who qualify for this service need to dial 2-1-1; an information referral specialist will refer them to the nearest VITA site.
These volunteers want to get the word out about their work, and the free service they offer, as they hear daily from people who have needlessly paid hundreds of dollars to have their tax returns prepared. At VITA sites, the certified volunteers help individuals and married couples to determine what refunds they are eligible for including the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), education credits, child-care credits and other deductions. (A tax credit is a dollar-for-dollar reduction in taxes that could result in a tax refund rather than owing taxes.)
The IRS estimates that approximately 20 percent of eligible individuals and families are unaware that they qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), a refundable federal income tax credit for low- to moderate-income individuals and families. Those qualify for the EITC if Adjusted Gross Income is no greater than the following:
• $18,440 with no qualifying child.
• $40,463 with one qualifying child.
• $45,295 with two qualifying child.
• $48,279 with three or more qualifying children.
At the free-tax preparation sites across Rhode Island, tax returns can be filed electronically at no cost, with most direct-deposit refunds being received in an average of seven-to-10 days.
“This important effort provides low-income working Rhode Islanders with funds they need to meet their expenses,” said UWRI President and CEO Anthony Maione. “This is not charity; it is a social investment and assistance on the road to financial stability.”
UWRI has provided funding for the sites since 2004, and last year donated $194,000 to the VITA effort. This year UWRI will fund 21 sites. (Citizens Bank and the Walmart Foundation also provided underwriting support for the program.)
Last year, volunteer certified tax preparers helped with 6,707 returns, which resulted in an average earned income tax credit refund of more than $1,600. (The maximum savings according to IRS guidelines is $4,824.)
By assisting single and married people, with or without children, VITA sites helped more than $11.1 million flow back into the pockets of working Rhode Islanders in 2009. Those who took advantage of VITA sites avoided having to pay tax-preparation.
When visiting a VITA site, people should bring the following information as applicable: All Social Security numbers (or ITINs) and birthdates for all filers listed on tax return income statements and W2s and 1099s for each job held during the 2009 tax year.
It’s recommended that people also bring their tax returns from the previous year; a voided check from which their account information may be obtained so that their 2009 refund may be deposited automatically into their account through direct deposit; amount of rent paid, or homeowner statements (Form 1098) and property tax payable in 2009; childcare expenses including provider name and address, education expenses for children in grades k-12 (notebooks, music classes, cost of instruments, etc.); expenses for college (Form 1098-T) and interest statement for student loans (Form 1098-E); and any charitable donations.
For more information about eligibility for the EITC program and to schedule an appointment for free tax preparation services, people may call toll-free 2-1-1 for information on all of the tax preparation site locations throughout Rhode Island.
For more information:
Faye Zuckerman
United Way of Rhode Island
(401) 444-0644-office
faye.zuckerman@uwri.org
