Volunteers to help prepare tax returns at Carson City's BRIC
Submitted by Carson Now Reader on Fri, 01/17/2014 - 10:18am
Millions of workers could overlook a special federal tax credit because they don't know about it. As a result, they could miss out on up to $6,143 extra in their federal income tax refunds through the Earned Income Tax Credit, or EITC. In 2011, on average, the credit boosted refunds for eligible workers in Nevada by $2,200.
"This money can make a real difference to those struggling in this recovering economy" said Michael Salogga, Business Development Manager for the Business Resource Innovation Center in Carson City (the “BRIC”).
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) volunteers will be available starting February 1st to help prepare tax returns for free to those that qualify at the BRIC, located at 108 East Proctor Street, Monday through Friday from 9:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to Noon. Call (775) 283-7123 to make an appointment.
Anyone earning $52,000 or less from wages, self-employment or farming in 2013 should see if they qualify. Eligible workers must file federal income tax returns-even if they are not required to file-and specifically must claim the Earned Income Tax Credit to get it. The IRS estimates four out of five eligible workers currently claim their EITC.
"We want to raise that to five out of five, Salogga said,”They earned it. Now they need to file, claim it and get it."
Workers can get free help determining their EITC eligibility and claiming the credit. Many communities have VITA sites. Residents can locate a site by calling their community's 211 or 311 number for local services or the IRS at 1-800-906-9887.
To help preparers accurately determine EITC eligibility and prepare returns, individuals should bring:
• Photo proof of identification
• Social Security cards for themselves, their spouse and all dependents or Social Security number verification letters issued by the Social Security Administration (or Tax Identification Number-ITIN letter)
• Birth dates for all persons listed on the tax return
• Wage and earning statement(s) Forms W-2, W-2G, and 1099-R, from all employers
• Interest and dividend statements from banks (Forms 1099)
• Copies of their prior year federal and state returns, if available
• Bank routing and account numbers for direct deposit of their refunds
• Other relevant information about income and expenses
• Amounts paid for day care, if applicable, and the day care provider's tax identifying number (social security number or EIN).
• Both spouses must be present to sign joint returns.
"EITC is a financial boost for working people in a recovering economy and allows more funds to flow within your community. It's money that can make lives a little easier” Salogga said.
Last year the BRIC’s VITA site helped taxpayers get almost $110,000 in refunds in total. The BRIC’s VITA site also will be in its second year of mentoring Carson High School students as certified tax preparers. Last year the BRIC site was the only VITA site in northern Nevada to have certified high school students as tax preparers.
The Business Resource Innovation Center (BRIC) is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and is located at 108 E. Proctor Street. The BRIC is a collaboration of city departments including the Office of Business Development, the Library, Planning, Building, the Permit Center and Business License. For more information call 283-7123 checkout our website at www.carson.org/bric.
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