1/24/2006
Media Contact:
Jo Lynn Garing, [317] 327-3690
Pat Brummer, [317] 685-7518 |
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Low-income taxpayers can avoid the high cost of quick tax money
Free tax preparation and e-filing available at Glendale
INDIANAPOLIS - Tax preparation and e-filing fees and "Instant Refund" loans rob thousands of dollars from Marion County’s working poor. At the Indianapolis Asset Building Campaign tax preparation site, located at Glendale Mall beginning tomorrow, Wednesday, January 25, low-income families can have their returns prepared and electronically filed for free and receive as much as a $4,400 refund through the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) program, if they qualify.
The Earned Income Tax Credit is a federal tax break designed to help people who work but have low incomes. A worker, who has children and earned less than $37,263 last year, may qualify.
"Many Indianapolis families fail to claim their earned income tax credit because they don’t know they are eligible, haven’t heard about it or don’t know how to apply," Mayor Peterson said. "Our free tax preparation site will ensure families claim the credit and give them financial counseling to help them wisely use their refunds."
The Glendale Mall tax preparation site will be open Monday through Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. throughout the tax-filing season. This service is available to families with children who have income under $40,000 and to individuals without children with income under $20,000. In addition, taxpayers can opt to load their refunds onto the new debit card introduced by Chase Bank called the Chase Direct Benefit Card.
Volunteers are trained and tested by the IRS and alert individuals to special credits for which they may qualify, such as the credit for the elderly, the child care credit, child tax credit and the earned income tax credit. Indianapolis Asset Building Campaign partners also will be available to focus on financial counseling to educate families on how to build long-term assets with their refund.
Taxpayers can get more information by calling the HELPLINE at 926-HELP (4357) or by dialing 211.
The Indianapolis Asset Building Campaign is a coalition of Mayor Bart Peterson, Congresswoman Julia Carson, the Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee, the IRS, the Annie E. Casey Foundation and other community partners.
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