Why does the COMMUNITY FORUM FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT support VITA – the VOLUNTEER INCOME TAX ASSISTANCE program that provides free, electronic tax filing for low-to-moderate income taxpayers?
The Community Forum for Economic Development supports policies and activities that improve living standards and broaden opportunities for the residents of St. Joseph County. For the last three years, we have partnered with the United Way and other local organizations to support the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA), an IRS program for low-to-moderate income residents (those with incomes of $50,000 or less). Tax preparers who work with the local Pro$perity Building Tax Team have received IRS training and certification and are supervised by IRS representatives.
Our goal is to provide free electronic tax filing for as many residents as possible, and to help all eligible taxpayers file for the Earned Income Tax Credit. E-filing is simple, accurate, and leads to rapid processing and to a rapid refund, if one is due. Taxpayers who e-file through a free service can avoid paying large sums of money to paid preparers, and/or to services offering predatory “rapid refund” loans. We want to help taxpayers e-file their taxes and receive their refunds speedily, with no extra expense.
The US government has offered the Earned Income Tax Credit, an anti-poverty program, for many years, but not all eligible taxpayers know about it. It provides extra money to workers who earn low incomes, particularly if they are supporting children. The EITC is a refundable credit, so eligible taxpayers can receive it as a refund even if they have little or no tax to pay. Many eligible taxpayers do not file for this credit because they are not aware of it, and a large amount of money is lost to our community when these credits are left unclaimed. We want to insure that taxpayers who come to us for help with their taxes receive all deductions and credits for which they are eligible, including the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit.
Beginning January 21, eight tax preparation sites are planned for the South Bend/Mishawaka area, with additional sites in North Liberty, Plymouth and Elkhart. For dates, times and locations, visit www.uwsjc.org/vita. Schedule an appointment by calling 2-1-1 between 8 am and 5 pm, Monday-Friday.
For more information about the Pro$perity Building Campaign Tax Team, or to volunteer your time, contact the Community Forum for Economic Development: email sjc.cfed@gmail.com or leave a phone message at 272-3089.
