City and Local Agencies Partner to Provide Income Tax Preparation Assistance

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 29, 2008

For more information:
Sue Owens, Program Specialist, City of Bloomington Community and Family Resources Department, 349.3468

Bloomington, IN - Mayor Mark Kruzan announced today that the City of Bloomington, as part of its continued enhancement of Community Condition, is partnering with the Internal Revenue Service and several community agencies to offer free tax preparation and filing assistance to area residents through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.

VITA is a volunteer-based program that gives low- to moderate-income taxpayers an opportunity to receive free tax information and assistance in electronic filing of their federal and Indiana tax returns. The VITA program is free and does not ask for a percentage of a taxpayer's return. The program can save a taxpayer hundreds of dollars.

Additionally, VITA will assist taxpayers who are eligible to receive tax refunds from the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). The EITC is a refundable tax credit that lifts more families out of poverty than any other federal government program, and yet it remains one of the most underutilized programs available to working families.

"The Earned Income Tax Credit enables families to put more of their hard earned money back in their pockets," Kruzan said. "These credits can result in significant income boost - up to $4,500 for taxpayers who qualify. The tax credits are also important because they bring federal dollars into our local economy."

The local EITC effort has been operational for several years and has been increasingly successful each year. The program is intended to insure that local residents make full use of the EITC and maximize tax benefits available to them under the credit.

"I encourage local businesses and community agencies to share news about the EITC and our free program with their employees and clients," Kruzan said. "The credits can supplement workers' wages at no cost to employers. Since the tax credits help people take care of daily needs, they can help employees keep their jobs and promote a steady workforce."

The services available to local residents will be offered at several locations and times throughout the tax filing period. For a comprehensive listing of times and locations of free tax assistance sites in Bloomington, please call the City's Community and Family Resources Department at 349-3430, visit the City of Bloomington web site at www.bloomington.in.gov or call the IN211 Center at 2-1-1.

Along with the City, participating community groups include Indiana Legal Services, Ivy Tech Community College, Monroe County Public Library, Ellettsville Branch Library, South Central Community Action Program, United Way of Monroe County, Area 10 Agency on Aging, Broadview Community Center, El Centro Comunal Latino, AARP and volunteers from the IRS-sponsored VITA program.

Residents wishing to use these services must bring all tax information including W-2 forms, children's social security numbers and any other information necessary to complete their tax return. Individuals can also visit www.irs.gov/eitc to learn more about EITC qualifications. The site provides information in both English and Spanish.

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