Free Tax Help Available In Essex and Hudson Counties For 2017

From UWEWH: On Monday, January 23, the United Way of Essex and West Hudson (UWEWH) kicked off the tax season with a new Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site at the East Orange General Hospital, located at 300 Central Avenue.

Launched by the Internal Revenue Service in 2005, the VITA program exists to encourage people in low-income areas to take advantage of the earned income-tax credit. VITA provides free tax preparation services to low- and moderate-income families, earning $54,000 a year or less, now through the Federal Income Tax filing deadline of Friday, April 15.

VITA Tax Filing Preparation Locations for 2017

Newark Emergency Services - 982 Broad Street, Newark, NJ 07102 Hours: M to F from 12:30 – 5:30 PM

Essex County College - 303 University Avenue, Newark, NJ 07102 Hours: M to Th from 11 AM – 8 PM & Fri from 11 AM – 2 PM

East Orange General Hospital - 300 Central Avenue, East Orange NJ 07018 Hours: Mon & Weds 3 – 8 PM & Fri from 10 AM – 3 PM

B.R.I.C.K Avon Academy - 219 Avon Avenue, Newark, NJ 07108 Hours: Tues & Thurs from 1 – 7 PM & Sat 10 AM – 2 PM**Saturday openings only on 1/21, 2/11, 3/4, 3/25 and 4/15

B.R.I.C.K. Peshine Academy - 433 Peshine Avenue, Newark, NJ 07103 Hours: Weds & Thurs from 1 – 6 PM & Sat 1 – 6 PM**Saturday openings only on 1/28, 2/18, 3/11, 4/1 and 4/8

Newark Legacy Charter School -823 South 16th Street, Newark NJ 07103 Hours: Tues 1 – 6 PM, Thurs 2 – 6 PM & Sat 10 AM – 2 PM**Saturday openings only on 2/4, 2/25 and 3/18

The United Way of Essex and West Hudson’s VITA program is the largest in the state of New Jersey, and in 2016 prepared nearly 3,000 tax returns, returned $5 million in refunds to tax filers, and saved filers $500,000 in filing fees. Their VITA sites also enable residents to sign up for health care insurance under the Affordable Care Act.

“Many low-income families depend on their tax refund check each year to take care of financial responsibilities such as repaying debt, putting money into savings, etc.,” said Catherine Wilson, CEO of United Way of Essex and West Hudson. “Sadly, low-income earners who need this money the most are also more likely to be unaware of tax breaks that can reduce their tax liability and increase their tax refund. This is why it’s imperative that we broaden the reach of our VITA programming in cities such as East Orange.

”In addition to the new East Orange location, taxpayers can take advantage of VITA services at Newark City Hall, Newark Emergency Services for Families, Essex County College, B.R.I.C.K. Avon Academy, B.R.I.C.K. Peshine, and Newark Legacy Charter School.

Residents should bring the following items to the VITA sites:

• Personal ID
• Social Security cards, and dates of birth for the taxpayer, spouse, children, and other dependents you are claiming.
• Amount of 2016 payments for student loan interest, child care expenses, and college tuition.
• All W-2, 1099, and other income forms and statements.
• Copy of last year’s Income Tax return, if possible.
• Any other tax-related documents you have received.
• Proof of bank accounts for direct deposit.
• Childcare provider name, address, and tax ID number, if relevant.

In addition, the VITA sites will enable residents to sign up for health care insurance under the Affordable Care Act. For health plans starting in 2017, the deadline to register is January 31, 2017.

Image: Flickr Commons