Free Tax Preparation Help Available Citywide

By Harold Davis
CORRESPONDENT

Those earning $49,000 or less will be given priority by trained volunteers at Volunteer Income Tax Assistance centers at CTE, Yerwood Center, Domus and Mujer Virtuosa Ministries. Appointments are required at all VITA locations.

Tax-Aide sites focus on residents 60 and older, but will serve people of all ages. Appointments are needed for Tax-Aide services at CTE and the Senior Center, but walk-ins will be accepted at the Ferguson Library's Weed and Harry Bennett branches at certain days and times.

Lawmakers, community spokesmen and IRS officials announced the tax preparation assistance as they joined together in the Government Center to promote Earned Income Tax Credit Awareness Day.

The earned income tax credit is a refundable income tax credit for low- to moderate-income working individuals and families.

Some 20 to 25 percent of people are unaware that they are eligible for the tax credit, according to the city's newly appointed economic development director, Laure Aubuchon.

"There's not any one of us that wants to paying more than we need to be paying," she said.

Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., encouraged people to file taxes even if they're not sure they qualify for the credit because there is "tons of money on the table."

"Here's the tragedy. People say, `I made only $25,000 so I don't need to fill out a tax return' -- but 3, 4, $5,000 makes all the difference," Himes said.

Norma Brudwick, IRS acting director of the Electronic Tax Administration and Refundable Credits department in Washington, D.C., agreed with Himes.

If a filer was not previously eligible, he should try again this year, Brudwick said. Those who lose their jobs or had children might be newly eligible.

"File a income tax return even if you don't need to, and there's a lot of free help out there," Brudwick said.

Michael Johnston, chief executive officer of the United Way of Western Connecticut, endorsed the program's aim. "If there was ever a time to put dollars into the hands of our community, now's the time," he said.

Information on free tax preparation sites follows:

CTE: VITA services will be scheduled on Mondays and Thursdays, 6-9 p.m., from Feb. 4 through April 15. Tax-Aide services will be available Tuesdays, 9:30 a.m.-noon, and Wednesdays, 6-8 p.m., from Feb. 1 through April 14. Call for appointments: 203-352-4846.

Domus: VITA services will be scheduled on Tuesdays, 6-9 p.m., and Saturdays, 9 a.m.-noon, from Feb. 2 through April 13. Call for appointments: 203-324-4277.

Mujer Virtuosa Ministries: VITA services will be scheduled on Wednesdays and Thursdays, 3-7 p.m., and Saturdays, 1-5 p.m., through April 15. Call for appointments: 203-570-8430.

Yerwood Center: VITA services will be scheduled on Wednesdays, 5-8 p.m., and Saturdays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., from Feb. 3 through April 14. Call for appointments: 203-327-2790.

Stamford Senior Center: Tax-Aide services will be scheduled Mondays through Fridays, 9:30-12:30 p.m., from Feb. 1 through April 14. Call for appointments: 203-977-5151

Ferguson Library Harry Bennett Branch: Tax-Aide services will be available Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., from Feb. 1 through April 14. Walk-ins accepted. 203-351-8291.

Ferguson Library Weed Memorial Branch: Tax-Aide services will be available Mondays, 4-7 p.m., and Saturdays, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., from Feb. 1 through April 14. Walk-ins accepted. 203-351-8285.