VALUABLE INFORMATION ON TAX CREDITS AND FREE FILING

It’s tax time again, and as in the past, Pikes Peak United Way’s 2-1-1 hotline is the best source for information about valuable tax credits and free tax preparation.

If your income was less than $49,000 in 2009, you could be eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) - a special tax benefit from the federal government for working people with children, designed to help reduce your tax burden and supplement your wages.

If you’re eligible, the EITC could mean a refund of up to $5,000! Plus, you may also qualify for a Child Tax Credit of up to $1,000 per child and additional credits for college expenditures, retirement savings, and first-time home purchases.

According to The Piton Foundation, more than 268,000 Colorado families received $470 million in tax refunds last year - $46 million went to 25,000 Colorado Springs families, with an average refund of $1,700 per family.

In addition, you may qualify for free tax return preparation:

• Colorado has 116 sites, 9 in Colorado Springs, where free tax preparation and
  e-filing are provided to taxpayers making less than $42,000.
• Or anyone with an adjusted gross income of up to $56,000 can prepare and electronically file their federal tax return through the IRS’ “Free File” Program.

To find out if you qualify for the EITC, free tax preparation, or other tax credits benefiting low to moderate wage earners, you’re encouraged to call Pikes Peak United Way’s 2-1-1 Informational and Referral Hotline. Free and confidential, the hotline provides trained, bilingual information specialists, Monday through Friday from 8a.m. to 5p.m., to answer questions and assist with the process.

Don’t miss out. Call 2-1-1 or 719-955-0742 today!