Free Tax Assistance for Low-Income Taxpayers

RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA (January 27, 2010) –The financial stability initiative, Pathways, of Inland Empire United Way (IEUW) is working with local nonprofit organizations to provide the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program and offer FREE tax help to the low-income community and senior citizens.

California State University San Bernardino (CSUSB) and Cal Poly Pomona accounting students will provide FREE income tax preparation services for low-income taxpayers (less than $60,000 gross income per return) and elderly taxpayers. Students are trained to prepare basic Federal and California resident tax returns.

Assistance is also available for those who are eligible for Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), Education Credits, Dependent Care Credit, and/or Child Tax Credit. Additionally, most sites also offer free electronic filing so taxpayers can receive refunds sooner.

The VITA site in Rancho Cucamonga will be located at the Northtown Community Center on 10071 Feron Boulevard. Tax preparation services will be available every Saturday starting February 6 to April 10 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (This VITA site will be closed on February 13).

The VITA site in Fontana will be located at the Josephine Knopf Center on 8384 Cypress Avenue. Tax preparation services will be available every Saturday starting February 6 to April 10 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (This VITA site will be closed on February 13).

The VITA site in Redlands will be located at the Boys & Girls Club of Redlands on 1251 Clay Street. Tax preparation services will be available every Friday starting February 5 to April 9 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (This VITA site will be closed on February 12).

VITA sites in Pomona include the Boys & Girls Club of Pomona on 1420 South Garey Avenue, YMCA of Pomona Valley on 350 North Garey Avenue, and Inland Empire Credit Union – Pomona on 435 West Mission Boulevard, Suite #100. Tax preparation services will be available at the Pomona VITA sites every Saturday starting February 13 to April 10 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

“This VITA site will help low-income families receive the money that belongs to them,” said Allan Collins, Director of Financial Stability and Volunteerism. “The extra dollars will help lift hard-working families out of poverty and fuel the economy, and I encourage all eligible residents to take advantage of this great opportunity.”

During the 2008 tax season, VITA site volunteers filed 1,258 federal and 1,035 state tax returns, saving tax filers an average federal return of $464.79. This resulted in a return of about $1,551,000 to local residents. The coalition of stakeholders captured $1.4 in EITC funds.

VITA volunteers are NOT able to prepare tax returns for nonresidents, small business owners, owners of rental properties, or those filing married separately.

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