Neighbor News
PNC, IRS OFFER FREE TAX FILING
• Tax help available at four metro Atlanta sites. • IRS assists with filing; PNC offers no-cost refund check cashing for VITA clients
ATLANTA., March 25, 2015 –PNC Bank has teamed up with the United Way of Greater Atlanta to provide free tax preparation and faster refund access for metro Atlanta residents making less than $52,000 a year. Local IRS-certified volunteers working with the VITA program will provide free tax assistance as well as low-fee Visa loadable card for faster tax refunds at the West End Mall (Atlanta), Clayton State University (Morrow), Beulah Baptist Church (Decatur), and Hillcrest Church of Christ (Decatur).
“We are very appreciative of how financial institutions have embraced the VITA program,” said Debra Holland, IRS commissioner, Wage and Investment Division. “They continue to provide a valuable service to low-income taxpayers and communities across the country through their free tax preparation and financial education programs.”
Many tax filers miss out on a beneficial tax credit – the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), either because they don’t claim it when filing, or don’t file a tax return. VITA volunteers will determine if taxpayers qualify for the EITC and other refundable credits. Last year, the credit returned over $66 billion to almost 28 million workers. The tax credit can mean up to $496 in EITC for people without children, and up to $6,143 for those with three or more qualifying children.
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The credit varies by income, family size and filing status. The average EITC amount last year was $2,407.
“PNC is committed to reaching more low- to moderate-income taxpayers through this vital program,” said Cathy Niederberger, managing director of PNC’s Community Development Banking Group. “This is one of the many ways that PNC works to level the playing field for consumers in economically challenged communities.”
In addition to prepaid cards and access to financial educations programs, VITA clients can also visit participating PNC Banks to cash refund checks for free. Participating branches in metro Atlanta are located at 2710 Wesley Chapel Road, Decatur, GA and 2685 Metropolitan Parkway, Atlanta (inside the Kroger Shopping Center). Nationwide, PNC will support the VITA program at more than 160 sites in 12 states and Washington, D.C.
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What to Bring to a VITA Site
Taxpayers who visit a VITA site should bring picture identification, a Social Security card, wages and earnings statements (Form W-2) from all employers, interest statements from banks (Form 1099), a copy of their previous year’s tax return if available, and other relevant information about income and expenses.
This year, PNC teams support VITA sites in Alabama, Illinois, Indiana, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Washington, D.C. Dates may vary by site. For a list of sites and available dates, please visit http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Find-a-Location-for-Free-Tax-Prep.
PNC Bank is a member of The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE: PNC). PNC, (www.pnc.com), is one of the United States’ largest diversified financial services organizations providing retail and business banking; residential mortgage banking; specialized services for corporations and government entities, including corporate banking, real estate finance and asset-based lending; wealth management and asset management.
