Henrico County and GREITCC Host Free Tax Help Sessions

 Eligible taxpayers can receive free help preparing their 2008
income tax return – and potentially increase their refunds by claiming
the earned income tax credit – at sites hosted by Henrico County and the
Greater Richmond Earned Income Tax Credit Coalition (GREITCC).

       The earned income tax credit is a benefit for qualifying workers
who file a tax return and meet income requirements – generally, families
with children earning less than $41,646 and individuals earning less
than $15,880. The benefit could increase a federal refund by as much as
$4,824 for families and $438 for individuals.

       Trained volunteers will help eligible taxpayers prepare and file
returns at coalition sites throughout the metropolitan area. Filers will
need to know the payment amount they received from the federal Economic
Stimulus Act of 2008.

       The GREITCC will operate two sites in Henrico:
*       Human Services Building, 8600 Dixon Powers Drive; from Jan. 27
to April 14, 4-8 p.m. each Tuesday and Thursday;
*       Fairfield Area Library, 1001 N. Laburnum Ave.; from Feb. 7 to
March 14, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. each Saturday.

       The GREITCC works to help low-to-moderate income families
maximize tax refunds that can help pay bills and reduce debt. The
coalition also offers qualifying taxpayers a free alternative to paid
tax-preparation services. Last year, coalition volunteers helped area
residents file 1,635 federal returns, generating $838,525 in earned
income tax credit funds and a total of $1,744,289 in federal returns.
The free service saved filers an estimated $330,600 in preparation fees.

   For more information, contact the GREITCC at 649-0330 or call
the United Way information service at 211.
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