| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 2/1/2010 |
Contact: Mary Godleski 609-404-4483 mgodleski@unitedwayac.org |
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UNITED WAY OF ATLANTIC COUNTY LAUNCHES TAX SEASON CAMPAIGN Galloway, N.J., – United Way of Atlantic County today launched their 2010 Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Campaign to assist thousands of working families in the county to maximize their tax refunds by utilizing the EITC. The campaign targets households with less than $48,000 in income who may qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit, a tax supplement which can add up to $5,657 to their tax refund. It includes free tax preparation by IRS certified volunteers at various sites around the county through Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA). For low to moderate income families that could mean an additional two months of income in their pocket this tax season- an amount that could mean the difference between paying the rent or keeping the lights on in these challenging times. United Way became interested in the EITC program when the organization realized that much of the Earned Income Tax Credit remains unclaimed in Atlantic County every year, a figure estimated to be more than $15 million based on 25% of people in the county who qualify for the credit but do not file. In fact, the EITC has been described as one of the most effective anti-poverty programs in the country, but the people it is meant to help may not even be aware of it. Through VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance), these individuals are freed from hefty tax preparation fees and are given the opportunity to get the most out of their tax refunds, which could have a direct result on their families’ quality of life. The IRS declared that through the efforts of United Way and its partners in this campaign, $45,524,299 in EITC has been refunded to Atlantic County tax payers. For the 2008 tax year, VITA volunteers prepared more than 1,800 tax and stimulus package returns for residents. “The EITC has been found to be the single, most effective means for lifting families above the federal poverty line – a way to make a life-changing difference for working parents which helps them take ownership of their financial futures,” says John Emge, Executive Director of United Way of Atlantic County. “The EITC is an investment in our working families, our County and our nation, and this campaign marks another step in the journey to help these families begin to build a better tomorrow.” United Way’s local campaign kickoff comes as part of the IRS’ national EITC Awareness Day, and encourages local residents to call 2-1-1, New Jersey’s non-emergency information hotline, for information on how to qualify and access the VITA sites. Qualifying families – including those where grandparents are raising children and other nontraditional situations – with two or more children will receive a credit of up to $5,657. For qualified applicants the EITC is retroactive for a period of up to three years, or $12,000. The IRS will be offering the Split Refund Option, which gives taxpayers the option of having their refund directly deposited in up to three financial accounts, such as checking, savings, or a retirement account. To qualify for these services and tax credits, claimants must be qualified working U.S. citizens and legal residents with valid Social Security numbers. 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. The following outlines the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC): • A family with two or more qualifying children who earn less than $43,279 (or $48,279 if married and filing jointly) are eligible for up to $5,657; • Families with one qualifying child who earn less than $40,295 (or $45,295 if married and filing jointly) are eligible for up to $5,028; and • Single workers between the ages of 25-64 who earn less than $13,440 (or $18,440 if married and filing jointly) and have no qualifying children are eligible for $457. A full listing of the free tax preparation sites, or VITA sites is included on the next page. When you go to a VITA site, be sure to take the items listed below with you: • Valid photo ID • Copy of 2008 tax return (if you have it) • Social Security numbers or Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITIN) for you, your spouse and any children born before 12/31/2009 (Bring social security cards or ITIN letters if possible) • Income documentation including: - W-2 Forms from all jobs worked in 2009 - All 1099 Forms showing other income received in 2009 • Your bank account information or a blank check if you choose to have your refund directly deposited into your account Bring documentation of the following if it applies to you: • Child care expenses, including provider’s address and federal id# • Mortgage company statements • Adoption expenses • Alimony paid or received • Any notices from the IRS or state tax office • Property tax bills • 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. Listed below are the Atlantic County VITA sites, along with their schedules. You may also call 2-1-1 to find the nearest location. Absecon Public Library 305 New Jersey Ave. Absecon, NJ 08401 (609)646-2228 Tuesday, 1:00 AM - 4:30 PM Atlantic City Free Public Library 1333 Atlantic Ave. AC, NJ 08401 (609) 345-2269 Wednesday,10:30 AM - 2:30 PM, Friday,10:00 AM -1:00 PM Hammonton Public Library 451 Egg Harbor Rd. Hammonton, NJ 08037 (609)-561-2264 Wednesday, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM Margate City Senior Citizen PA 5 Huntington Ave Margate City, NJ 08402 (609)823-5877 Thursday ,10:00 AM - 2:00 PM,Saturday, 9:00 AM- 2:00 PM AtlantiCare Health Park 2500 English Creek Ave. Egg Harbor Twp. NJ 08234(609)-625-1110 Friday,12:00 AM -5:00 PM Pleasantville Library 33 Martin Luther King Jr, Ave Pleasantville, NJ 08232(609) 641-1778 Tuesday, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM Brigantine Public Library, 201 15th St. Brigantine, NJ 08203 (609) 266-0110 Tuesday, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM,Saturday, 9:00 AM- 12:00 PM Senior & Community Center 300 E. Jim Leeds Rd. Galloway Twp, NJ 08244 (609) 652-9262 Tuesday, 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM Senior Citizens Center 22 Ambler Rd. Somers Point, NJ 08244 211 Thursday, 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM Ventnor Library 6500 Atlantic Ave. Ventnor City, NJ 08406 (609)823-5877 Monday, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM Buena Senior Center, Central Ave., Minotola, NJ (856)697-0698 Monday, 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM,Tuesday, 9:00 AM- 1:00 PM Pleasantville Rec. Center, 400 Brighton Ave.,Pleasantville, NJ 08232 (609)484-3608 Thursday,10:00 AM - 1:00 PM For more information or to see if they qualify, individuals and working families can call United Way of Atlantic County’s Information hotline “2-1-1” or visit www.unitedwayac.org United Way of Atlantic County is a local, volunteer-driven, charitable organization mobilizing people and resources to meet our community’s most pressing health and human services needs. United Way is dedicated to making a positive impact on the quality of life for Atlantic County residents by supporting dozens of programs that reduce substance abuse and promote mental wellness, provide basic needs and increase self-sufficiency, support community health issues and foster safer homes and neighborhoods. Volunteers closely monitor these programs to ensure effective and efficient use of donor dollars. For more information on United Way of Atlantic County call 609-404-4483 or visit www.unitedwayac.org. If you or someone you know are in need of services dial 211. |