Free Tax Prep Program In Newark Saved $1.7M In Fees: Officials

NEWARK, NJ — A coalition of Newark community groups and city officials are offering free tax help this season for local residents with low and moderate incomes.

The 2019 Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) kicked off last week in Newark. The free program offers assistance to people with $56,000 or less taxable income on their tax returns. Returns are prepared by trained and certified volunteers who undergo at least 20 hours of training and must pass an exam specified by the IRS. (Learn more here)

Newark Free-Tax-Prep sites saved clients $1.7 million in tax-preparation fees during 2018, city officials stated in a news release.

VITA is running 12 tax prep sites in Newark for 2019. The expansion to twelve VITA sites throughout Newark in 2019 is an initiative of the Newark Asset Building Coalition (NABC).

The following sites will offer VITA services in 2019 (see list of available days/times below)

• Vince Lombardi Center of Hope, 201 Bloomfield Avenue (North Ward)
• B.R.I.C.K. Avon Academy, 219 Avon Avenue (South Ward)
• B.R.I.C.K. Peshine Academy, 433 Peshine Avenue (South Ward)
• Belmont Runyon School, 1 Belmont Runyon Way (South Ward)
• Malcolm X Shabazz High School, 80 Johnson Avenue (South Ward)
• Achieve Community Charter School, 534 Clinton Avenue (South Ward)
• Ironbound Community Corporation,7 Wilson Avenue (East ward)
• The Urban League, 506 Central Avenue (West Ward)
• New Community FSC, 274 South Orange Avenue (Central Ward)
• New Jersey Citizen Action, 165 Halsey Street (Central Ward)
• Essex County College, 303 University Avenue (Central Ward)
• Newark Emergency Services for Families, 982 Broad Street (Central Ward)

VITA will also offer Financial Aid U for low-income students, which helps them fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form, which enables them to get access to financial aid to pay for college, city officials said.

For more information, residents can call 211, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, or visit the website at www.uwewh.org/taxprep

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