United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey (UWGPSNJ) and the Campaign for Working Families (CWF) kicked off the 2017 tax season and the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) by opening nearly 40 preparation sites across the region.
“At United Way, we’re working to empower more working adults to earn and save more with access to the resources, asset building opportunities and education they need to thrive,” said Jim Cawley, president and CEO of UWGPSNJ. “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 changing lives and strengthening communities – one child, one adult and one family at a time.”
Families earning $54,000 or less, or individuals earning $20,000 or less, may be eligible to receive free tax assistance through VITA. VITA sites will be open throughout tax season at the following locations in in Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland counties:
Atlantic:
• Kramer Hall, 30 Front Street, Hammonton
• Spruce Family Success Center, 3050 Spruce Avenue, Egg Harbor Township
• Stockton University, 101 Vera King Farris Drive, Galloway
• Sun National Bank, 599 New Road, Linwood
Cape May:
• Christ Gospel Church, 2209 Route 9 South, Whitesboro
• Howard Stainton Senior Center, 1735 Simpson Avenue, Ocean City
• Lower Cape Senior Center, 2612 Bayshore Road, Villas
Cumberland:
• Sun National Bank Training Center, 226 Landis Avenue, Vineland
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 EITC, a refundable credit that can return up to $6,318 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.
“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,” says 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’s Impact Fund.”
Last year, VITA volunteers filed nearly 29,000 tax returns across the region, which returned more $41 million to local communities. For eligibility requirements, and a complete list of VITA tax sites and documents needed to file, please visit UnitedForImpact.org/VITA or CWFPhilly.org.
Cape May – Governor Murphy says he doesn't know anything about the drones and doesn't know what they are doing but he does know that they are not dangerous. Does anyone feel better now?
