March 23, 2011

Filing your taxes is no fun, in fact it can be downright complicated and intimidating. But for those who earned $49,000 or less in 2010 you could qualify for a bigger return than you think.

Thanks to dozens of volunteers like Martha Trujillo with the Thomas Jefferson Area Earned Income Tax Credit Coalition, free tax preparation is available for those who qualify. Because of a federal grant, the IRS trains dozens of volunteers like Trujillo to help Central Virginians file their taxes. And many who qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit could..
see a maximum cash return of up to $5,600.

"The coalition is a group of non-profits, the Chamber of Commerce, Social Services departments, that want to help people..Earn it ..Keep it ..Save it," said Kim Connolly with the Thomas Jefferson Area United Way.

It's estimated that more than a thousand Central Virginians will be helped by this program this year. The coalition says it's helping to recover more than two million dollars that otherwise would have been left on the table.

The University of Virginia Community Credit Union is also involved with the coalition.

"It's a "win-win" for everyone," said Rebecca Cardwell, The Director of Community Relations. "There's great stories on the individual level of people finding out they've got money coming back to them, and also collectively this is a really great economic stimulus."

Unfortunately, the IRS says twenty to twenty-five percent of the American population that should qualify for this credit are not applying for it.

So here's the Sargent Solutions bottom line:

Call and find out if you qualify for the free tax preparation service and the earned income tax credit. You can't afford not to know, and if you do qualify you'll be instructed on how you can "earn it, keep it, save it."

For more information visit the United Way's website or call (434) 972-1703.

There are more than a dozen sites throughout Charlottesville, Albemarle County, Fluvanna County, Greene County, Louisa County and Nelson County where you can get the free tax preparation assistance.

What to Bring? (*for households earning less than $49,000 in 2010)
-Government issued photo ID
-Valid Social Security cards of ITIN numbers for taxpayer, spouse and all dependents
-Birthdates for taxpayer, spouse, and all dependents
-If married and filing jointly, both spouses must be present
-All wage adn income statements for 2010 (i.e., W-2, W-2G, 1099-R forms, 1099-INT, 1099-G)
-Proof of day-care expenses paid in 2010 including: provider's name, address and federal ID number
-A copy of last year's return if available
-For direct deposited refunds, please have bank account and routing numbers available (voided check preferable)