Tax Assistance Program Achievments Recognized by IRS
More than $2,080,000 in tax refunds was returned to 1,619 households throughout the Greater Fall River area by the Citizens for Citizens Inc. Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program.
Paul Desmarais receives Outstanding Partner Award
The VITA program started four years ago, as a small group of dedicated volunteers preparing federal and state tax returns free of charge two evenings a week. A total of 195 returns were electronically filed on behalf of families that year. The volunteers now prepare taxes evenings, afternoons and Saturday mornings.
The program witnessed an increase of 68% over the 961 returns filed last year. The program ensures that eligible families receive the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). Today, the EITC is one of the largest anti-poverty tools in the United States. For tax year 2007 a family with one qualifying child could receive a maximum credit of $2,853. For households with two or more qualifying children the maximum credit is $4,716.
Daniel Caruso Regional Director of the Internal Revenue Service presented the “Outstanding Partner Award” to Citizens for Citizens VITA Program Director Paul Desmarais. Caruso praised the rapid growth of CFC’s program which has enabled it to reach so many lower income families. This award follows the grant recently given to CFC by the IRS under its Tax Counseling for the Elderly Program.
The Tax Counseling for the Elderly grant awarded to CFC is the only one that was given to a non-profit agency in Massachusetts. The grant will enable CFC to continue to assist elderly taxpayers (60 years & over) with tax matters including filing for the Economic Stimulus Payment (ESP).Eligible individuals may receive $300 simply by filing a tax return by October 15, 2008. Pre-screening of elderly households for a possible circuit breaker tax credit from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts will also take place during the filing for the ESP. Households that qualify for the circuit breaker credit can receive up to $900 per year.
Elderly households that have not filed for the ESP or wish to be screened for the Circuit Breaker Credit should contact CFC at its Griffin St. office at 508-679-0041 to make an appointment for this free service.
