Free tax preparation services available for more residents
-VITA increases income criteria, launches Super one-day event-


The Alamo City Coalition for Economic Self-Sufficiency (ACCESS) today announced plans for this year's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. In addition to raising income eligibility criteria, residents will also have the opportunity to get their taxes done for free at a Super one-day VITA event on January 31 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center.

This year, individuals and families earning up to $55,000 are eligible for the free service, an increase of $10,000 from the previous year. Twenty eight VITA sites across the city officially open January 13 through April 15. In that time, ACCESS hopes to file 50,000 tax returns.
 
To help boost awareness of the free service, the coalition is hosting a Super one-day VITA event with a goal of completing 1,000 tax returns in one day. "Through past efforts, VITA saved San Antonio taxpayers an estimated $6.3 million in tax preparation fees in 2009," said City Manager Sheryl Sculley. "We hope this one-day event will increase that savings and bring more tax refunds to our families."
 
In addition to free tax services, the Super one-day VITA event will also include a fair with representatives from 50 providers of other social and financial services including application assistance for CHIP, Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. CPS Energy and the San Antonio Food Bank will also participate and attendees can get information on job placement assistance and other non-profit services geared towards increasing family financial stability.

Because more residents are eligible for the VITA program, ACCESS hopes that more taxpayers will take full advantage of all tax credits for which they are eligible, including the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).The EITC is one of the largest benefits available for working families, but it is also one of the most overlooked tax credits. Last year, VITA brought in more than $70.5 million in refunds to San Antonio clients, including more than $27,243 million in EITC; however, an estimated 23 percent of households in San Antonio were eligible for EITC last year and did not claim it, leaving $86 million in Washington, D.C.

"United Way has been closely involved with VITA since it became a community-wide effort. As an organization responsible for ensuring our donors' dollars are invested in effective and efficient programs and services, VITA has proven to be one of our most effective investments of time and money," said Kim Bowers, chair of United Way’s Coordinating Council and Valero executive vice president and General Counsel. "VITA not only provides a valuable service to San Antonio families, but the funds saved by these families can help make ends meet during these difficult economic times," she added.

"San Antonio is a city with a big heart, and it's rewarding that so many volunteers and corporate sponsors are partnering with VITA in this effort," said Dick Evans, chairman of VITA's 2010 program and CEO of Frost Bank. "As we help keep San Antonio's working families strong, we also see the money saved coming back into our local economy. It's a program where everyone benefits."

To take advantage of the free tax preparation service at the one-day event or at a VITA site, taxpayers should bring the following items:

• Valid driver's license or photo I.D.;
• All W-2 forms; 1099 forms, if applicable;
• Social Security cards or Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers for all family members; those who are filing jointly must bring their spouse;
• Checking and/or savings account numbers (up to three accounts) for deposit of their refund directly to their account.
  
  All returns are filed electronically and taxpayers can expect to receive their refunds within seven to 10 days. For those who need their tax refund more quickly, ACCESS is again partnering with City Employees Federal Credit Union and offering a zero percent interest Refund Express loan. Individuals who opt for the Refund Express loan will pay only a $10 application fee. The Refund Express loan will be available at select VITA sites.
  
  The one-day VITA event's underwriting Sponsor is United Way's Women's Leadership Council. Gold sponsors are: the City of San Antonio, Bank of America, Chase Bank, Dolph Briscoe, H-E-B, USAA and Valero. Silver sponsors are: Broadway Bank, Citi and Wells Fargo. In-kind contributors include: Amegy Bank, generations federal credit union, Security Service Federal Credit Union, Southwest Office Systems Inc. and Workforce Solutions-Alamo.
  
  For more information about VITA or to locate a site, call the United Way helpline at 2-1-1 or visit www.vitasa.org.