PHOENIX (Feb. 7, 2013) ─ 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.

“Last year, our efforts resulted in more than $1.6 million in state and federal tax refunds for struggling individuals and families,” said Haley Hyatt, EmpowerU senior program manager with Catholic Charities. “With the maximum Earned Income Tax Credit at $5,871; we hope more people will become aware of our free tax services and use them this tax season.”

Catholic Charities volunteers are IRS-trained. VITA tax preparation is a free service and part of EmpowerU, a Catholic Charities program to help vulnerable individuals and families to permanently improve their financial situations and achieve long-term prosperity through education, resource and skill building, planning and mentorship.

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 – Diali Avila 602.650-4853 davila@cc-az.org
Prescott/Quad Cities – Ed Arnold 928.778.2531 ext. 0 darnold@cc-az.org
Cottonwood/Camp Verde – Steven Barber 928.634.4254 sbarber@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 impacted 111,248 lives throughout 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.