Michael Swayze's Community Resources

Category: Nonprofit

  • LIHEAP Action Day – February 9, 2011

    Today is LIHEAP Action Day. Join with others to press Congress for at least $5.1 billion in federal funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for Fiscal Year 2012. For a list of local energy assistance organizations and fuel funds visit NJ Community Resources list of energy organizations. You may also wish to make a contribution to New Jersey’s fuel fund – New Jersey SHARES. See their website for details.

  • EITC Awareness Day – January 28, 2011

    Earned Income Tax Credit Can Put Money in Your Pocket

    You could be eligible to get more money back from the IRS – as much as $5,666.

    If you earned less than $48,362 from wages, self-employment or farming last year, you may qualify for a refundable tax credit called the Earned Income Tax Credit, or EITC. But you must file a federal income tax return claiming the credit to get it.

    EITC can be a big financial boost for working people hit by hard economic times. Many individuals who saw their incomes drop in 2010 may qualify for the first time.

    The credit has been making the lives of workers a little easier for more than 35 years. Yet it remains little known, possibly because people move into and out of eligibility as their financial, marital and parental statuses change. IRS estimates four of five eligible people claim and get their EITC.

    Unlike other tax credits, both EITC eligibility and the amount of the credit is based on several factors such as the source and amount of your income, or combined incomes if married, whether you have qualifying children and how many. Workers without children also may qualify.

    The amount of the credit peaks then phases out at certain income limitations depending on filing status and other factors. You may qualify for EITC even if you had no federal tax withheld or are not otherwise required to file.

    The credit is complex, but worth exploring. It’s even more valuable if your state has a corresponding tax credit. (New Jersey does have their own.)

    The online EITC Assistant at www.irs.gov/eitc can help determine your eligibility and estimate the amount of your credit. Free help preparing your return and claiming EITC is available at volunteer income tax assistance sites and IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers. To locate a volunteer site, call your community’s 211 or 311 number for local services or call the IRS at 1-800-906-9887. Find an IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center in the blue pages of your telephone directory.

    Remember: if you are eligible, you must file a federal income tax return, even if you are not otherwise required to file, and you must specifically claim the credit to get it. Find more information about EITC at www.irs.gov or in your tax software package.

    According to the IRS, rural and non-traditional families — such as grandparents raising grandchildren — childless workers, and non-English speaking taxpayers are among those who most frequently overlook the credit.

  • AARP Tax-Aide

    The following bulletin was issued by the AARP Foundation, located in Washington, D.C. The service performed by AARP compliments the work of VITA sites (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) and IRS’ Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).

    AARP Tax-Aide is the nation’s largest free, volunteer-run tax assistance and preparation service. It is available to taxpayers with low- and moderate-income, with special attention to those age 60 and older. Last year AARP Tax-Aide served 2.5 million taxpayers at 6,500 sites across the country. The sites are located in libraries, community centers, senior centers, and other convenient locations and are open in 2011 from approximately late January/early February to mid-April. The filing deadline in 2011 is April 18.

    AARP Tax-Aide provides this free service regardless of age or AARP membership. Volunteers are trained to assist in filing the 1040 tax form and Schedules A, B, C-EZ, D, and EIC. Taxpayers with complex tax returns are advised to seek paid tax assistance. AARP Tax-Aide, a program of AARP Foundation, has been providing a valuable service to taxpayers in communities across the country for over 42 years.

    Finding or referring people, to a nearby AARP Tax-Aide site is easy and quick to do. You can either refer people directly to the web site or to a toll free number. Assistance can be located by:

    1) Calling 888-227-7669. The toll free site locator number is very easy to use. A caller is asked to enter their zip code either by voice or manually entering it with their phone. They are then given all of the information on the nearest site. They are also given an option for additional sites.

    2) Go directly to the AARP web site which allows you to search for the caller by their zip code if they do not have internet access or don’t want to use the web site themselves. Simply go to http://www.aarp.org/applications/VMISLocator/searchTaxAideLocations.action.