(Canton, OH) Jan. 15, 2014 – United Way of Greater Stark County is pleased to announce free income tax preparation services are available for qualifying Stark County residents through the federal Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. Taxpayers may qualify to have their 2013 income tax returns prepared at no charge if they are single with earned income at $65,000 or less, or married and filing jointly with earned income up to $95,000 per household.
Volunteers certified by the Internal Revenue Service will ensure all eligible tax credits are claimed and if filed electronically, returns can be processed in seven to ten days. United Way volunteers are using State of Ohio’s Ohio Benefit Bank tax preparation software to file federal and state taxes and to determine whether taxpayers qualify for additional state benefits.
United Way will be offering free tax clinics at sites throughout the county through April. To find out if you qualify for the service and to schedule an appointment, call (330) 994-VITA (8482). Find out more online about tax clinic times and locations near you at http://www.uwstark.org/united-way-free-tax-preparation-dates-times. To ensure a tax preparer is available appointments are required.
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Last year, of the 116,526 taxpayers that qualified for free tax preparation services in Stark County, 69,506 paid a preparer an average of $290 to have their tax returned prepared−potentially $20,156,740 could have been kept in Stark County taxpayers’ pockets. The goal of United Way’s Free Tax Preparation program is to help low to moderate income taxpayers meet their basic needs and build financial assets as they continue to become financially stable and achieve long term financial independence. The program is funded by United Way and sponsored by Aultman Health Foundation, The Deuble Foundation and PNC Bank.
National Earned Income Tax Credit Day on Sat., Jan. 25 calls attention to the government’s largest anti-poverty program. Stark County residents could miss out on up to $6044 in EITC benefits per taxpaying family if they do not apply for the credit on their tax return.
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Residents earning $51,567 per household or less, based on family size and filing status, from wages, self-employment or farming in 2013 should find out if they might be eligible for the tax credit. The IRS has identified likely qualifying taxpayers who might be missing out and not claiming the EITC as:
living in rural areas,
self-employed,
receiving certain disability pensions or have children with disabilities,
without a qualifying child,
not proficient in English,
grandparents raising their grandchildren, or
recently divorced, unemployed, or experienced other changes to their marital, financial or parental status.
For the 2013 tax year, earned income and Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) to qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit must be less than:
- $46,227 (or $51,567 married filing jointly) with three or more qualifying children
- Maximum EITC for 2013 = $6044
- Maximum EITC for 2013 = $5,372
- Maximum EITC for 2013 = $3,250
- Maximum EITC for 2013 = $487
Volunteers are needed
United Way’s Free Tax Preparation program operates through the help of trained volunteers. Volunteers will receive free IRS training and materials. To find out how to volunteer this tax season, please contact Chrisann Leaman, United Way’s VITA Coordinator, at Chrisann.leaman@uwstark.org or (330) 491-9989.
About Ohio Benefit Bank
The Ohio Benefit Bank is an online resource that allows individuals and families to apply for state and federal government benefits and services.
Help for qualifying Ohio residents from Ohio Benefit Bank includes child care subsidies, child tax credit and earned income tax credit, USDA child nutrition programs, Ohio Women, Infants and Children (WIC) benefits and health insurance coverage. Ohio senior citizens might qualify for Ohio Benefit Bank resources including Medicare prescription assistance, community service training, Golden Buckeye and the Medicare savings program. Ohio families might qualify for tax preparation assistance, food assistance, federal Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), health insurance coverage and Ohio Works First (OWF) cash assistance.
What to bring to your free VITA tax preparation appointment
Proof of identification, picture ID, for you and your spouse if filing jointly
Both spouses must be present to sign required forms if filing jointly
Social Security Cards for you, your spouse and dependents and/or a Social Security Number verification letter issued by the Social Security Administration
Birth dates for you, your spouse and dependents on the tax return
A copy of last year’s Federal and State returns, if available
Bank Routing and Account Numbers for Direct Deposit (Voided check)
Wage and earning statement(s) from all employers (Form W-2)
Unemployment compensation (Form 1099G)
Retirement benefits (Form 1099R)
Interest and dividend statements (Forms 1099INT and 1099DIV)
Self-Employment income and expenses (Forms 1099MISC or manual records)
Income gain/loss from sale of stocks or bonds (Form 1099B and/or broker’s statement)
Social Security or Railroad Retirement benefits (SSA 1099 or RRB 1099)
Gambling and prize winnings (1099MISC or W-2G)
Day care expenses and day care provider's address and tax identification number (the provider's Social Security Number or the provider's business Employer Identification Number)
Education expenses and student loan interest paid (1098-T and 1098-E)
Home mortgage interest (Form 1098), charitable contributions, medical expenses and mileage, and real estate taxes paid
Qualified expenses for the Residential Energy Efficient Property Credit
Documentation for IRA contributions
Documentation for medical expense paid from a Health Savings Account (HSA)
Information for alimony received or paid
Qualified First-Time Homebuyers Credit, settlement statement including purchase date and price
Your Ohio Benefit Bank Login and Password if applicable
About United Way
United Way of Greater Stark County is a not-for-profit organization that seeks to improve lives in measurable and lasting ways by mobilizing thousands of people around a common goal: advancing the common good. United Way believes in the building blocks for a good life and that a quality education leads to a stable job, enough income to support a family through retirement, a safe place to live and good health.
For more information about United Way visit www.uwstark.org. Headquarters are at 4825 Higbee Avenue NW, Suite 101, Canton, Ohio 44718. Dial (330) 491-0445 to reach the offices.