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Across Atlantic County at a number of sites in libraries, offices and community centers, trained volunteer tax preparers help individuals and families claim their maximum benefit and refund. United Way's Volunteer Center coordinates the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program as a valuable community resource during the tax season. VITA provides low to moderate income households with free, quality tax return preparation and in many cases, ensure eligible taxpayers claim the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) which can amount to as much as $5,751 per family. To qualify for these services and tax credits, claimants must be qualified working U.S. citizens and legal residents with valid Social Security numbers with a houshold income of less than $50,000. If a legal resident with an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) meets all of the qualifications, they too are able to retroactively claim the EITC for a period of up to three years once they receive their valid Social Security number.
Residents are encouraged to call 2-1-1, New Jersey's non-emergency information hotline, for information on how to qualify and access the VITA sites.
VITA Sites |
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Mondays 9:00am to 4:00pm |
| February 6th through and including April 9th, closed Monday February 20th |
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Egg Harbor Township Family Success Center
3050 Spruce Ave., Egg Harbor Township |
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Tuesdays 1:00pm to 7:00pm |
| February 7th through and including April 10th |
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Atlantic County Library/Egg Harbor City Branch
134 Philadelphia Ave., Egg Harbor City |
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Wednesdays 9:00am to 3:00pm |
| February 1st through and including April 11 |
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Carnegie Library Center
Corner of MLK Jr. Blvd. and Pacific Ave., Atlantic City |
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Thursdays 9:00am – 12:00pm |
| February 2nd through and including April 12th |
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United Way of Atlantic County
4 E. Jimmie Leeds Rd. Suite 10, Galloway |
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Saturday |
February 4 |
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Carnegie Library Center- 10:00am to 1:00pm |
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February 18 |
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Atlantic Co. Library/Egg Harbor Twp. Branch- 1 Swift Drive, EHT
10:00am –1:00pm |
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| March 3 |
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Carnegie Library – 10:00am to1:00pm |
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| March 17 |
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Atlantic County Library – Egg Harbor City Branch
10:00am –1:00pm |
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| March 24 |
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Stockton College- Galloway (location details TBD)
10:00am – 4:00pm |
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| April 7 |
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Carnegie Library – 10:00am –1:00pm | |
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One-Stop Sites |
| February 9 |
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Hammonton Family Success Center- 310 Bellvue Ave., Hammonton
2:00pm – 4:00pm |
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| February 16 |
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Stockton College- (location TBD) 1:00pm – 7:00pm |
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| March 8 |
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Hammonton Family Success Center- 310 Bellvue Ave., Hammonton
2:00pm – 4:00pm |
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| March 22 |
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Career One Stop Center – Washington Ave. & Main St., Pleasantille
2:00pm – 4:00pm |
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| March 29 |
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Career One Stop Center – Washington Ave. & Main St., Pleasantille
2:00pm – 4:00pm |
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| April 12 |
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Hammonton Family Success Center- 310 Bellvue Ave., Hammonton
2:00pm – 4:00pm |
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Free Tax Help
Paying to have your taxes prepared can cost $150 to $300. Households in Atlantic County earning less than $50,000 cannot afford to pay!
Awareness of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
Many taxpayers do not know about the EITC and that it is a refundable tax credit that can be up to $5,751 for a family with three qualifying children for Tax Year 2011.
Refund Anticipation Loans
When residents get an "instant refund" from a commercial preparer, they are taking a loan out on their own money usually paying 300% interest. With direct deposit an EKS site can e-file your tax return and have your refund deposited into your bank account in 7 to 10 days.
In addition to these crucial benefits, tax refunds play an important role in the health of our community. In fact, the tax refunds returned to low income households are most often spent locally on services or products in their communiites.
It is estimated that nearly $15 million is left uncliamed every year based on 25% of the population not filing. Last year, United Way's VITA sites completed 125 returns with an estimated savings of more than $150,000. This gives our local economy a boost year after year!
When you go to a VITA site, be sure to take the items listed below:
- Valid photo ID
- Copy of 2010 tax return (if you have it)
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Social Security numbers or Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITIN) for you, your spouse and any children born before 12/31/2011 (Bring social security cards or ITIN letters if possible)
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Income documentation including: W-2 Forms from all jobs worked in 2011 and all 1099 Forms showing other income received in 2011
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Your bank account information or a blank check for direct deposit
Bring documentation of the following if it applies to you:
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Child care expenses, including provider's address and federal id#
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Mortgage company statements
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Adoption expenses
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Alimony paid or received
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Any notices from the IRS or state tax office
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Property tax bills
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College tuition and student loan interest statements
*If you have lost or do not have all of these items, you can still get your taxes prepared. Call the IRS helpline at 1-800-829-1040 to find out what you need to do and how to obtain replacement documents.
To find a VITA site and times of service, please call 609-404-4483 or dial 2-1-1.
VITA Outreach Kit
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