FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

It's Your Money - You Earned It!

A Ross County EITC Coalition Campaign

Chillicothe, OH (October 23, 2009)

Volunteers needed to help with free tax filing assistance.

One hour of a volunteer’s time can mean several thousand dollars to a low-income family. That’s why the Ross County EITC Coalition is actively seeking community volunteers to expand its efforts.

Providing free tax preparation assistance and fast refunds for eligible wage earners is a key initiative in the Coalition’s mission to strengthen our community by maximizing income and increasing financial independence for working individuals and families. At the same time, significant dollars are returned to the local economy. The refunds, along with money saved by eliminating tax preparation fees and refund loans, can be used to pay bills and purchase necessities or saved for education, a home, or retirement.

Last year, volunteer tax preparers helped file more than 500 tax returns which returned more than $1 million in federal refunds, credits and rebates to eligible Ross County wage earners. Considering current economic conditions, an even greater need for this assistance is anticipated this year. Volunteers will begin assisting taxpayers in early January.

Volunteers do not need previous tax preparation experience, but should be “computer literate” and able to complete an instructional session to obtain IRS/VITA certification for preparing basic and intermediate tax returns. Schedules are flexible for training, which begins in December, and volunteer service during tax season (January to April 15).   Additional volunteers are needed to help with other duties, including telephone assistance with client screening and scheduling, administrative support, language interpreters, program publicity, and greeters and child care helpers at special Saturday tax clinics.

Although tax season is a few months away, volunteer training and coordination must be confirmed soon. Anyone interested in assisting with tax preparations or other volunteer duties should contact Traci Harris at Southeastern Ohio Legal Services by calling 773-0012, ext. 113.

About the Coalition:
The Ross County EITC Coalition was convened by United Way of Ross County in 2007 to help working individuals and families achieve financial stability and increase asset-building opportunities. Coalition partners are Ross County Community Action, Ross County Job & Family Services, Southeastern Ohio Legal Services, United Way, Internal Revenue Service, Ohio University-Chillicothe, RossGO, Ohio Benefit Bank, and the Ohio Earned Income Tax Credit Coalition.

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