Tennessee 211

2-1-1 In the News

The City Paper (Nashville)
January 26, 2006

VITA program offering tax help

By: JUDITH R. TACKETT

Government and nonprofit leaders have kicked off the start of the local Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, which offers free help to low-income families with their tax returns.

U.S. Rep. Jim Cooper (D-Nashville) said the program experienced a surge in applications last year with a 65 percent increase in numbers of individuals served who received an average earned income tax credit of $1,500.

More than 5,000 local families received tax help last year, which resulted in $7.1 million in tax refunds, according to the Nashville Wealth Building Alliance.

“But more important than that, it means food on the table, it means rent payments made, it means [car] payments made, it means a better life for our citizens,” Cooper said.

This year’s goal is to have the remaining 15-20 percent of eligible people sign up for the free program.

A single individual with an income of $11,750 or less in 2005 may qualify for the earned income tax credit.

That income threshold is raised to $31,030 for a single person with one child, and $37,263 for a family with two ore more children.

Cooper warned low-income people not to waste their money by using other tax preparation sites that offer their help for a fee, and Metro Councilman Ronnie Greer said the VITA program generally saves between $200-$400 compared to other sites such as H&R Block.

Tennessee Department of Revenue Commissioner Loren Chumley said workplaces play an important role in informing their employees about the free tax help.

“Even in the state’s tax agency, we found employees who were not aware that they were eligible for this important benefit,” Chumley said.

A formal kick-off event will take place Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the 100 Oaks Mall VITA location on the second floor.

The event is geared towards families and, in addition to free tax help, offers food and games for children.

GET HELP
To find a VITA site or get eligibility requirements, call 2-1-1, Middle Tennessee’s community service help line. Area VITA sites are at the following locations:

100 Oaks Mall, 719 Thompson Lane, second floor
15th Avenue Baptist CDC, 930 Scovel St.
Conexion Americas, 800 18th Ave. S., Suite A
Margaret Maddox Family YMCA, 2624 Gallatin Road.
Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 1112 Jefferson St.
Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 2261 Murfreesboro Road.
Nashville ACORN, 800 8th Ave. S., Suite C
Sam Levy Neighborhood Network Center, 302 Foster St.
St. Luke's Community House, 5601 New York Ave.
Westwood Baptist Church, 2510 Albion St.
Woodbine Community Organization, 222 Oriel Ave.

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	2-1-1 In the News The City Paper (Nashville) January 26, 2006 VITA program offering tax help By: JUDITH R. TACKETT Government and nonprofit leaders have kicked off the start of the local Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, which offers free help to low-income families with their tax returns. U.S. Rep. Jim Cooper (D-Nashville) said the program experienced a surge in applications last year with a 65 percent increase in numbers of individuals served who received an average earned income tax credit of $1,500. More than 5,000 local families received tax help last year, which resulted in $7.1 million in tax refunds, according to the Nashville Wealth Building Alliance. “But more important than that, it means food on the table, it means rent payments made, it means [car] payments made, it means a better life for our citizens,” Cooper said. This year’s goal is to have the remaining 15-20 percent of eligible people sign up for the free program. A single individual with an income of $11,750 or less in 2005 may qualify for the earned income tax credit. That income threshold is raised to $31,030 for a single person with one child, and $37,263 for a family with two ore more children. Cooper warned low-income people not to waste their money by using other tax preparation sites that offer their help for a fee, and Metro Councilman Ronnie Greer said the VITA program generally saves between $200-$400 compared to other sites such as H&R Block. Tennessee Department of Revenue Commissioner Loren Chumley said workplaces play an important role in informing their employees about the free tax help. “Even in the state’s tax agency, we found employees who were not aware that they were eligible for this important benefit,” Chumley said. A formal kick-off event will take place Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the 100 Oaks Mall VITA location on the second floor. The event is geared towards families and, in addition to free tax help, offers food and games for children. GET HELP To find a VITA site or get eligibility requirements, call 2-1-1, Middle Tennessee’s community service help line. Area VITA sites are at the following locations: 100 Oaks Mall, 719 Thompson Lane, second floor 15th Avenue Baptist CDC, 930 Scovel St. Conexion Americas, 800 18th Ave. S., Suite A Margaret Maddox Family YMCA, 2624 Gallatin Road. Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 1112 Jefferson St. Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 2261 Murfreesboro Road. Nashville ACORN, 800 8th Ave. S., Suite C Sam Levy Neighborhood Network Center, 302 Foster St. St. Luke's Community House, 5601 New York Ave. Westwood Baptist Church, 2510 Albion St. Woodbine Community Organization, 222 Oriel Ave. top