United Way and Community Partners Offer Free Community Tax Service For Low- and Moderate-Income Residents

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 26, 2012

United Way and Community Partners Offer Free Community Tax Service For Low- and Moderate-Income Residents.

United Way is proud to work with several local community groups to help local residents retain more of their earnings.

The Free Community Tax Service provides free tax preparation and electronic filing of federal and Indiana tax returns for low- and moderate-income residents.

Additionally, the Free Community Tax Service will assist residents who are eligible to receive tax refunds from the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). The EITC can result in a significant income boost - up to $5,751 for those who qualify!

The EITC is a refundable federal income tax credit for low- and moderate-income working individuals and families. A tax credit is a dollar-for-dollar reduction of taxes owed. Since it is a refundable credit, when the EITC exceeds the amount of taxes owed, it results in a tax refund to those who claim and qualify for the credit.

The EITC has no effect on certain welfare benefits. In most cases, EITC payments will not be used to determine eligibility for Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), food stamps, low-income housing, or most Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) payments.

To qualify, taxpayers must meet certain requirements and file a tax return, even if they did not earn enough money to be required to file a tax return.

For more information, please contact the United Way of Monroe County or reference the FCTS brochure under Attachments along the right hand side of this page.