COURT HOUSE – United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey (UWGPSNJ) and the Campaign for Working Families (CWF) kicked off the 2019 tax season and the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) by opening more than 30 tax preparation sites across the region.
“At United Way, we’re on a mission to end intergenerational poverty and empower our community’s youth and families by giving them the resources they need to thrive,” stated Bill Golderer, president and CEO of UWGPSNJ in a release. “Through programs like VITA, we help put additional dollars back into the pockets of our families living paycheck-to-paycheck, so they are able to pay down debt, save for a home or continue their education. Thanks to our Impact partners like the Campaign for Working Families, we’re helping more people than we ever could on our own.”
According to the IRS, taxpayers are often unaware of the important credits they may be eligible for and leave valuable dollars on the table each year.
The IRS estimates that one in five taxpayers does not claim one of the biggest boosters to family incomes – the Earned Income Tax Credit, or EITC, a refundable credit that can return more than $6,000 per qualifying family – simply because they are unaware that they are eligible or do not file their taxes. VITA not only provides assistance for taxes, but also helps residents make connections to other financial resources such as budgeting, credit counseling and financial literacy programs.
Last year, VITA volunteers filed 60,759 tax returns, returning more than $47.9 million to local communities.
“Our goal is to ensure every eligible taxpayer has access to free and accurate tax preparation services, where the tax filer can be assured they receive all eligible credits they are entitled to in an effort to maximize their refund,” stated Mary Arthur, president and CEO of CWF. “We are honored to have the opportunity to continue this work thanks to the significant support and contributions from United Way.”
Individuals and families earning $55,000 or less are eligible to receive free tax assistance through VITA.
This tax season, Cape May County residents can access VITA at:
• Atlantic Cape Community College, Cape May County Campus, 341 Court House-South Dennis Road, Court House
Thursdays, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
By appointment only. Call 609-463-3619 to schedule.
• Christ Gospel Church, 2209 Route 9 South, Whitesboro
Tuesdays, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
By appointment only. Call (609) 465-7729 to schedule.
• Howard Stainton Senior Center, 1735 Simpson Avenue, Ocean City (in partnership with Cape May County Division of Aging and Disability Services)
Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 12 p.m. – 3 p.m.
By appointment only. Call (609) 398-2552 to schedule.
• Lower Cape Senior Center, 2612 Bayshore Road, Villas (in partnership with Cape May County Division of Aging and Disability Services)
Mondays and Saturdays, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
By appointment only. Call (609) 886- 5161 to schedule.
For eligibility requirements, and a complete list of VITA tax sites and documents needed to file, visit UnitedForImpact.org/VITA or CWFPhilly.org.
Lower Township – Who are these people that are obvious experts on trash cans and leaf pick-up? Maybe they don't have any trash to put out or leaves in their yard!!
