The Peru Gazette

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has designated Friday, January 25, 2019, as National EITC Awareness Day. The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Coalition of the Adirondack Region has established Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites throughout our three-county service delivery area to provide “free tax preparation” to individuals and families with low or moderate incomes. Household incomes of $54,884.00 or less may be eligible.

“People may be missing out on a federal refund of up to $6,431.00 plus an additional NYS credit because they are not aware of the Earned Income Tax Credit,” said Kathy Snow, Director of Development, of the United Way of the Adirondack Region, Inc.  “Our Coalition is working hard to promote the service and reach eligible people and families throughout the region”.

“Since the coalition started doing free tax preparation, in 2004, the volunteer tax sites have done approximately 49,000 federal tax returns with a yield of approximately $57 million in federal tax refunds, returned to Clinton, Essex and Franklin Counties.” The IRS estimates up to one in four eligible taxpayers may fail to claim the credit.  The Coalition also provides information and education about asset building, including banking and savings.

Trained volunteers will be at each site to electronically file returns for low or moderate income residents, even if they do not qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit.   

E-Filing provides; faster refunds, electronic payment options, less chance of error and proof of acceptance within 48-hours. VITA sites and schedules are listed on the attached flyer.  The public can also call 2-1-1 for sites, schedules, and information.

Coalition members include: United Way of the Adirondack Region Inc , OneWorkSource, Adirondack Community Action Programs, Inc. (ACAP), Senior Citizens Council of Clinton County, Office for the Aging, Department of Social Services, Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), Joint Council for Economic Opportunity, Inc. (JCEO), AARP Foundation-Tax Aide, IRS, Cornell Cooperative Extension, UFirst Federal Credit Union, Champlain National Bank,  North Country Community College, SeaComm Federal Credit Union, Mohawk Indian Housing Corporation.