Divorced professional and dedicated mom gets free tax filing help from VITA volunteers

Being an employee, a student and a mom left no brain space for Windsor resident Jennifer Carroll to contemplate how she would get her taxes done.

When her long-time employer implemented a new program management system, they laid off about a third of their medical coding and billing employees, including Jennifer.

“Today you can have all the experience in the world, but if you don’t have a formal degree or a certification, your job is not as secure,” Jennifer explains. While I’ve been doing billing and coding forever, I knew that to get another position, I needed to stay up to date on my skills, return to school and get formal training in my field.”

A divorced mom with a college-age daughter, Jennifer has found a part time position as a medical billing and coding manager for a private pediatrician. At night, she attends Manchester Community College to obtain her degree in business office systems and technology.

“I knew nothing about how to do my taxes,” Jennifer admits. “With my crazy schedule, the thought of spending time figuring it all out was overwhelming. And I can’t afford to pay a tax preparation company.”

Jennifer learned about the VITA program two years ago through 2-1-1 Infoline and through a small article in the town paper.

“I had just been laid off and had started my night classes. I was financially stressed to the brink and needless to say, very stressed about how I was going to handle my taxes. I couldn't believe it when I found out the program existed,” she relates. “Setting up the appointment was very easy. I called 2-1-1; a representative helped me find dates and times for an appointment that worked best with my hectic schedule.”

Every year now, Jennifer works with IRS-certified Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program volunteers at the Windsor Locks location to complete and electronically file her 2016 federal and state taxes. She was delighted to learn that because her daughter lives with her full time, she qualified to receive an Earned Income Tax Credit.

“The support I got from the VITA volunteers was wonderful,” Jennifer said. They are trained, professional, knowledgeable and explain everything as they go along. I became comfortable with the situation and came to see they knew what they were doing, and had faith that my taxes would be correct. The volunteers were everyday people, like you and me, so it was easy to talk to them, answer any questions and not be embarrassed about my financial situation in front of them.”

“When I go to VITA every year, I have confidence that my taxes are done accurately and that I will not be audited. If it wasn’t for the VITA program, I would be attempting to do my taxes myself and they would be WRONG. This program is a godsend!

“I have other girlfriends in my same situation – their marriages ended, they needed professional help with their taxes but limited resources to pay a tax preparer. I’ve referred them all to the VITA program,” she adds.

Now that her taxes are done for the year, Jennifer’s building her skills with an eye to flexible positions that can earn her extra money. “I love working for the pediatrician – both the financial and the people end of the business. I also want to get a job that will enable me to do remote online billing and coding during my off-hours,” she explains. At the end of the day, I love what I do – and I want to make a good living at it!” she smiles.

Now through April 18, VITA’s IRS-certified financial volunteers will help eligible taxpayers prepare and electronically file their state and federal income tax forms at no charge. Volunteers ensure that filers claim their proper tax credits and refunds. Refunds are available in seven to 10 days.

Free, in-person help is available by appointment to individuals and families with household incomes up to $54,000 at VITA sites in Hartford, Enfield, Manchester, New Britain, Vernon, West Hartford, Windsor Locks, and the Windham region.

To schedule an appointment with a VITA tax assistance volunteer, dial 2-1-1 and press ‘3’ or visit www.211ct.org. For a list of VITA tax assistance sites, visit www.thevillage.org/2017VITAsites.

Individuals and families with household incomes up to $62,000 in 2016 can also get assistance and file online at any time using MyFreeTaxes.com.

VITA and MyFreeTaxes is offered by The Village for Families & Children and United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut to help working families become financially secure. Free tax preparation is one way for hard-working families to keep more money in their wallets.

For more information, visit http://thevillage.org/program/vita/.