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Release Date: January 18, 2006 City of San Antonio Communications Office: 207-7235 Coalition launches free tax preparation assistance program - Volunteer Income Tax
Assistance sites open today - The City’s Department of Community Initiatives (DCI) and its partners in the San Antonio Coalition for Economic Progress (SACFEP) announced the opening of their 25 VITA sites today. These sites will prepare and file income tax returns free of charge for local residents with household incomes up to $40,000. All returns are filed electronically, ensuring that taxpayers receive their refunds in seven to 10 days. The VITA sites will operate beginning today through April 17, and will maintain day and evening hours, plus weekends at most locations. When visiting a VITA site, taxpayers should bring the following items:
Trained volunteers will help taxpayers seeking assistance take full advantage of the tax credits for which they are eligible including the EITC and Child and Dependent Care Credit as well as other tax credits. According to a study by Texas Perspectives, Inc., 23 percent of San Antonio families who qualify for the EITC do not file for it, which translates to more than $85 million in unclaimed federal dollars. This tax season, the EITC will provide a maximum tax credit of up to $4,400 for low to moderate income workers and a Child Tax Credit up to $1,000 for those that qualify. The actual amount of the credit will depend upon each individual’s circumstance. “VITA is designed to ensure that hard-working local families have full access to all of the tax credits they are entitled to,” said City Councilman Roger O. Flores, District 1. “Last year, SACFEP processed 25,000 returns bringing in over $39 million in refunds to our community.” In addition to filing taxes, the campaign will connect clients to other services and public benefits for which they may qualify including food stamps, child-care assistance, children’s health insurance and Individual Development Account savings programs. VITA can help working families who use main stream credit union or banking services save hundreds of dollars annually in transaction costs. It is estimated that 27 percent of tax filers using VITA are not members of a financial institution. This year, the Coalition is partnering with financial institutions to link VITA participants with asset building opportunities. “VITA has made San Antonio a national leader in offering working families free tax preparation services,” said Dennis J. Campa, director of DCI. “Our working families have earned it, and it is VITA’s job to help them claim it, so they can invest in their families’ well-being.” The Coalition looks forward to increasing the capacity to serve more families at VITA sites. With sponsorship from community and corporate partners, the City is committed to connecting families to a wide array of services and resources. The AT&T Foundation recently awarded DCI a $49,000 technology grant award that will support the program’s sustainability. According to a recent economic impact study by Texas Perspectives, EITC serves as a major economic generator in San Antonio. The average EITC for San Antonio families was $1,952. The economic impact of EITC participation supports over 5,100 jobs. It also produces more than $3.6 million in tax revenue for the City’s budget. The San Antonio Coalition for Family Economic Progress’s members include the City of San Antonio; United Way of San Antonio-Bexar County; Internal Revenue Service; Our Lady of the Lake University’s Center for Women; Making Connections, a local initiative of the Annie E. Casey Foundation; Catholic Charities and other community and faith-based organizations. If you have questions about VITA or wish to locate a site, call the United Way helpline at 227-4357 or 211. For more information on other services provided by DCI, call 207-6366 or visit www.sanantonio.gov/comminit. |