Catholic Charities plans to guide poor on taxes

By MAUREEN MCGUINNESS- | Comments: 0 | Leave a comment

Working families in the Albany Diocese may find they have more money in their pockets, thanks to Catholic Charities and the IRS.

Several Catholic Charities agencies are working together to offer assistance in filing taxes for those who are qualified for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). Available to individuals with low or moderate incomes, the EITC can range from several hundred to several thousand dollars.

To receive the credit, eligible individuals must apply for it when they complete their tax form.

Advantage

"Unfortunately, many people who are eligible for the EITC do not know they are eligible, or do not know how to file their tax return to take advantage of the EITC," said Karen Dehais, associate executive director of Catholic Charities. "As a result, many people who are entitled to substantial tax benefits miss out on this opportunity, including people working in minimum wage jobs or those transitioning from welfare to work."

The IRS estimates that only 60 to 70 percent of those eligible apply for the EITC. To help increase that figure, Catholic Charities of Albany and Rensselaer Counties, Catholic Charities Disabilities Services, Catholic Charities Housing Office, Community Maternity Services, and Hispanic Outreach Services will offer a tax assistance program. From Feb. 26 through April 8, eligible individuals can receive assistance in preparing their tax forms and applying for the EITC at Catholic Charities' Slingerland Street office in Albany.

"Through this new program, claiming the refundable tax credit is fast, easy and free," Mrs. Dehais said.

Benefits

In addition to getting assistance in filling out the forms, those who take advantage of Catholic Charities assistance will be able to file their taxes electronically at no charge, which will speed up receipt of tax refunds.

The refundable credit can range from several hundred to several thousand dollars. For example:

* A household raising one child in 1999 who earned less than $26,928 can receive a federal EITC of up to $2,312;

* a household raising more than one child in 1999 who earned less than $30,580 can receive a federal EITC of up to $3,816;

* households without children with 1999 earnings of $10,200 or less can receive a combined federal and state EITC of up to $416.

Volunteers sought

In order to make this program a success, Catholic Charities is looking for volunteers.

"Volunteers are essential to the success of this program," Mrs. Dehais said. "They will work with individual taxpayers for 30 to 60 minutes to help them prepare their tax refunds."

Volunteers need not be accountants or tax professionals. They will receive training and training materials. In addition, a site coordinator will answer questions volunteers may have as they prepare the returns.

"You don't have to be an accountant," Mrs. Dehais said. "We'll be using computers that check math. If a volunteer makes a mistake, neither the volunteer nor the taxpayer will be penalized."

Pitching in

The qualities Catholic Charities is looking for in volunteers include a willingness to help someone in need and the ability to interact with individuals, Mrs. Dehais said.

The local chapter of the Notre Dame Club has volunteered to participate, and she said it would be nice if other local college groups also pitched in.

(Volunteers will be trained on Feb. 23 at 5:30 p.m. Tax assistance will be available Wednesday evenings between 5 and 8 p.m. and on Saturday mornings from 9 a.m. to noon, Feb. 26-April 8. For information on volunteering or the EITC, call 453-6624.)

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