Free tax help for those with low to moderate incomes
Catholic Charities provides free tax preparation to those with low-moderate incomes to assure they receive their maximum return, including the earned income tax credit
PHOENIX (Jan. 23, 2012) ─ Catholic Charities Community Services is providing free tax preparation throughout Central and Northern Arizona for low- to moderate-income families and individuals. The agency’s goal is to help those in need receive their maximum return, including the federal earned income tax credit.
Families with children and household incomes under $49,000, and individuals with incomes under $13,000, may qualify for the earned income tax credit and other credits and deductions.
“We provide free tax preparation to help those who need it the most so that they receive every cent they deserve from their tax return,” said Aaron Stiner, Paths of HOPE senior program manager for Catholic Charities. “With $5,751 as the maximum earned income tax credit, it is very important for those who think they may qualify to call us.”
Joya Schmidt, a single mother of two, understands what the earned income tax credit can mean to those in need. It helped her go from homeless to homeowner in five years. The first year she received her earned income tax credit, she purchased a reliable car and began establishing credit. The next year, Schmidt used her earned income tax credit to pay off the car. The following years, Schmidt saved her tax credits for a down payment on a house.
Catholic Charities Community Services certifies volunteers through the IRS.
Catholic Charities' VITA tax efforts are part of Paths of HOPE, a Catholic Charities program to help vulnerable individuals and families to permanently improve their financial situations and their lives through a continuum of education, resource and skill building, planning and mentorship. Paths of HOPE and VITA are funded in part by the Arizona Community Foundation and the United Way.
Free tax preparation begins Feb. 1 and continues through April 15. To schedule a free appointment at the Catholic Charities VITA location nearest you, contact:
Greater Phoenix – Melissa Dunmore 602.749.4464
mdunmore@cc-az.org
Prescott/Quad Cities – Haley Hyatt 928.708.7222
hhyatt@cc-az.org
Cottonwood/Camp Verde – Tania Simms 928.634.4254
tsimms@cc-az.org
About Catholic Charities Community Services
Catholic Charities Community Services helps our community's most vulnerable with solutions that permanently improve lives. We help people of all faiths, backgrounds and abilities. Last year, we touched 90,715 lives in Central and Northern Arizona. We are accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Children and Family Services and are a member organization of Catholic Charities USA. To learn more visit CatholicCharitiesAZ.org.
# # #
Media Contact:
Laura Toussaint-Newkirk
Communications and Marketing Manager
602.650.4830
ltoussaint@cc-az.org