NEWS INFORMATION FROM |
|
|
THE OFFICE OF MAYOR STEPHEN R. REED |
FOR IMMEDIATE USE |
VOLUNTEER INCOME TAX ASSISTANCE EFFORTS GET UNDERWAY; CITY RESIDENTS ENCOURAGED TO FILE FOR FEDERAL & STATE TAX CREDIT PROGRAMSMayor Stephen R. Reed today announced that the Community Action Commission, in collaboration with the United Way of the Capital Region, PNC Bank and the Internal Revenue Service, is again offering free income tax preparation and filing assistance for citizens throughout the midstate as part of their annual “Money In Your Pocket” campaign. Over 1,100 midstate taxpayers used the free service in 2005 to receive over $1.4 million in tax refunds. The Mayor also encouraged all low and moderate income residents to file for the federal and state Earned Income TaxCredit(EITC) Programs, which refund even more money to persons who fall under minimum federal income levels. The amounts of refunds vary according to household income and the number of resident children. A married couple with two children for instance, could earn up to $35,362 in annual income and still be eligible for a substantial additional refund under the EITC Program. An added benefit is that persons can file for as far back as three years for the EITC. Reed said the Community Action Commission’s free “Money In Your Pocket” campaign is the result of an innovative partnership between the Allison Hill-based Commission and the United Way of the Capital Region and PNC Bank. The IRS conducts background checks and provides training for the volunteer tax preparers before they are allowed to work. More than 70 volunteers have already committed to working on the program this tax season. The Mayor said the Money In Your Pocket campaign involves the regular staffing of nine offices located throughout the Tri-County Cumberland, Dauphin and Perry County region. The free income tax preparation and filing service will be offered at Temple University’s downtown Harrisburg campus in Strawberry Square; the Carlisle OIC Office, the CAC offices in Derry Street in Harrisburg and in Middletown; the Perry County Literacy and Career Link Offices; the Widener University Campus in Susquehanna Twp.; the Nativity School on Zarker Street in Harrisburg; and at the Faith United Church in Grantville. For more information on the Community Action Commission’s “Money In Your Pocket” tax filer service, contact the Commission at (717) 232.9757. For information about the federal Earned Income Tax Credit program please call the IRS toll-free number at 1-800-829-1040, or visit their website at www.irs.gov. For information on the state’s tax credit program, please call 1-888-PATAXES, or visit the website at www.revenue.state.pa.us. |
|