Connecticut Free Tax Preparation Program Kicks Off Season

On February 4, Members of the Greater Bridgeport Family Economic Security Coalition and elected government officials, coordinated by the Connecticut Association for Human Services (CAHS) and Internal Revenue Service, kicked-off the start of the 2022 tax season with livestreamed event (view HERE). This tax season, Bridgeport families who made less than $58,000 in 2021 may be eligible to participate in the Connecticut Free Tax Prep program at local Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites and have their taxes prepared for free by IRS-certified volunteers. In addition, income eligible families may qualify for additional tax credits, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).

This year’s Connecticut Free Tax Prep campaign provided at VITA sites across Fairfield County is made possible with support from the United Way of Coastal Fairfield County, Citi Foundation, and the IRS.

Last year, IRS-certified preparers in Bridgeport and surrounding areas in Fairfield County prepared 4,175 tax returns, returning $6.4 million in state and federal refunds to local families including $1.6 million in federal EITC, which may have otherwise gone unclaimed. The Connecticut EITC provides an additional credit for working families, which for the 2022 tax
season has been increased to 41.5% of the federal EITC. This tax credit helps low- and moderate-income working families with children have more money for monthly bills, to pay off debt and to save for emergencies.

To prevent the spread of the Coronavirus, CAHS will continue its partnership with Code for America to run a digital VITA on-line service at GETYOURREFUND.org. The Get Your Refund platform is a safe and secured online system that has been vetted and approved by the IRS to provide the same quality services as our in-person VITA sites. Taxpayers answer intake questions and upload tax documents on GetYourRefund.org/CAHS-CT. Our IRS trained and certified VITA
Volunteers will remotely prepare the tax returns, speak with the taxpayers to review their returns, and file the returns with taxpayers’ consent. For taxpayers who do not have access or the technology to use the online service, CAHS has VITA sites in Fairfield County that will be offering drop off services and limited in-person services.

“At the completion of last year's tax season, the CAHS CT VITA Coalition assisted over 10,000 tax payers, resulting in $16 million in federal refunds and $3 million in EITC. We are thrilled with those results and we are pleased to be able to again offer qualified families and individuals free tax preparation and filing during this upcoming tax season,” said John Merz, Chief Executive Officer of CAHS. “This is an important service and offers a significant savings to those who are
challenged by the extra expense of tax preparation. In addition to free tax services, CAHS also offers educational programs that help build long-lasting financial stability. This year, we are pleased to announce the expansion of our financial capacity and asset building programs with the launch of our new program, the CAHS Returning Citizens program (CRC). CRC will engage and connect the reentry population to financial literacy and capability services such as the VITA
program. CAHS is the organization that coordinates the VITA campaign across the state of Connecticut.

“VITA provides much needed free tax advice and guidance to people who cannot afford tax accountants or are confused by our complex tax rules. Too many people fail to receive refunds or the earned income tax credit that are owed to them leaving on the table billions of often critical hard earned dollars,” stated U.S. Senator, Richard Blumenthal.

“Tax credits like the EITC are among the most effective tools for strengthening the financial stability of eligible families,” said Barlow Flores, Senior Vice President, Citi Community Relations Northeast Leader. “Expanding access to these vital tax credits is imperative as communities across the U.S. continue their economic recovery from the pandemic. The Citi Foundation proudly supports the efforts of the Connecticut Association for Human Services and Code for America to
empower eligible first-time tax filers across Bridgeport and provide them with free, high-quality tax preparation services and other essential resources.”

Residents can call 2-1-1 or visit www.211ct.org, the United Way’s free information hotline to find out more information or to locate the closest VITA site. For more information about federal or state EITC eligibility, residents can visit www.irs.gov or www.ct.gov/drs/eitc.

“An unprecedented number of people are struggling to make ends meet during this Covid crisis. For many of them, securing the tax refunds and credits they’ve earned is essential to their financial stability, and are often used to pay for essentials like food, housing, healthcare, and childcare. We are proud to partner with the free VITA tax preparation program as part of United Way efforts to provide financial education and tools that empower people to improve their lives and the lives of their children. And for those of income levels above $58,000 United Way supports MyFreeTaxes.com--the only free, national, online tax filing product offered by a nonprofit. United Way has made it available to over 1.3 million U.S. taxpayers as part of our fight for the financial stability of every person in every community,” noted –Jeff Kimball, President & CEO of the United Way of Coastal Fairfield County.

“It has been a challenging year as COVID has affected our personal and work life. Many are struggling to rebound financially and are in need of assistance. We are grateful for programs like VITA providing resources for individuals in Bridgeport to assist with tax filing and financial services,” stated Mayor Ganim. “Tax season can be intimidating. This partnership program offers financial support and education in a process that in some cases will also result in a cash
return.”

To help families trying to save their tax refund dollars for a rainy day or unforeseen expenses, CAHS encourages income tax filers at VITA sites to direct deposit their federal and state refunds into both checking and savings accounts.

Area VITA sites include:

• Fairfield Public Library
• Alliance for Community Empowerment
• Burroughs Community Center
• Norwalk Community College
• Boys & Girls Club @Yerwood Ctr.
• Housatonic Community College
• Career Resources
• Southend Community Center- Stratford
• University of Bridgeport

For more information about VITA services or what to bring to a VITA appointment visit https://www.cahs.org/vita.html

About the Connecticut Association for Human Services

The Connecticut Association for Human Services (CAHS), a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization, a subsidiary of Advancing Connecticut Together, uniquely combines outreach into working poor communities at the neighborhood level with broad-based policy work at the state and federal level. Founded in 1910, CAHS is focused on helping families and children build the skills and assets they need for lasting economic success, strengthening Connecticut’s economy, and improving its workforce. In addition to advocacy and outreach, CAHS publishes consumer guides and policy briefs. For more about CAHS, please visit www.cahs.org

About United Way of Coastal Fairfield County
United Way of Coastal Fairfield County’s mission is: “Together, we empower people to improve their lives.” We do this by working innovatively with partners to tackle the most pressing issues in a community. Our vision is that all children and families will thrive in school and life. UWCFC serves the towns of Bridgeport, Darien, Easton, Fairfield, Monroe, New Canaan, Norwalk, Stratford, Trumbull, Weston, Westport, and Wilton. Find out more at: https://unitedwaycfc.org/