|
|
|
News You Can Use
Free Tax Return Preparation For You by Volunteers |
| |
The IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) and the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) Programs offer free tax help for taxpayers who qualify.
Trained community volunteers may help with special credits, such as Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, and Credit for the Elderly or the Disabled. In addition to free tax return preparation assistance, most sites also offer free electronic filing (e-filing). Individuals taking advantage of the e-file program will receive their refunds in half the time compared to returns filed on paper – even faster when tax refunds are deposited directly.
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program
The VITA Program offers free tax help to low- to moderate-income (generally, $49,000 and below) people who cannot prepare their own tax returns. Certified volunteers sponsored by various organizations receive training to help prepare basic tax returns in communities across the country. VITA sites are generally located at community and neighborhood centers, libraries, schools, shopping malls, and other convenient locations. Most locations also offer free electronic filing. To locate the nearest VITA site, call 1-800-829-1040.
Tax Counseling for the Elderly
The TCE Program provides free tax help to people aged 60 and older. Trained volunteers from non-profit organizations provide free tax counseling and basic income tax return preparation for senior citizens. Volunteers who provide tax counseling are often retired individuals associated with non-profit organizations that receive grants from the IRS.
As part of the IRS-sponsored TCE Program, AARP offers the Tax-Aide counseling program at more than 7,000 sites nationwide during the filing season. Trained and certified AARP Tax-Aide volunteer counselors help people of low-to-middle income with special attention to those age 60 and older. For more information, call 800-829-1040. To locate a nearby tax site, call 888-227-7669. The local AARP phone # is 458-0050. You may visit them on the web at:
aarp.com
Items you need to bring to have your tax returns prepared:
- Proof of identification
- Social Security Cards for you, your spouse and dependents and/or a Social Security Number verification letter issued by the Social Security Administration
- Birth dates for you, your spouse and dependents on the tax return
- Current year’s tax package if you received one
- Wage and earning statement(s) Form W-2, W-2G, 1099-R, from all employers
- Interest and dividend statements from banks (Forms 1099)
- A copy of last year’s federal and state returns if available
- Bank routing numbers and account numbers for Direct Deposit
- Total paid for daycare provider and the daycare provider's tax identifying number To file taxes electronically on a married-filing-joint tax return, both spouses must be present to sign the required forms.
|
|
Through SafeLink Wireless’ Lifeline Service you can receive:
- A FREE SafeLink Wireless phone
- A FREE cellular plan that gives you 68 Minutes every month
You qualify for Lifeline Service in your area if:
- You already participate in one of the following assistance programs
- Family Assistance
- Food Stamps
- Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)
- Medicaid
- Safety Net Assistance
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Veteran's Disability Pension
- Veteran's Surviving Spouse Pension
OR
- Your total household income is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG). The table below provides the maximum income you can have to be eligible for service.
Number of Persons in Household |
Annual Income |
Monthly Income |
1 |
$14,621 |
$1,218 |
2 |
$19,670 |
$1,639 |
3 |
$24,719 |
$2,060 |
4 |
$29,768 |
$2,481 |
5 |
$34,817 |
$2,901 |
6 |
$39,866 |
$3,322 |
7 |
$44.915 |
$3,743 |
8 |
$49,964 |
$4,164 |
For each additional person, add: |
$5,049 |
$421 |
|
AND
- No one in your household currently receives Lifeline Assistance through another phone carrier. If someone in your household is receiving Lifeline Assistance you must cancel the service before applying for Lifeline Service through SafeLink Wireless.
- You have a valid United States Postal Address. In order for us to ship you your FREE phone you must live at a residence that can receive mail from the US Post Office. Sorry, but P.O. Boxes cannot be accepted.
Please note that if you elect to qualify via income you will need to prove your eligibility by sending us a copy of a document that proves your income level. The following are examples of documents that are accepted:
- Medicaid Statement
- Supplemental Security Income Statement
- A document that contains your program ID
- 4 months of consecutive pay stubs
- Letter from your employer
- Last year’s income tax return
- Employer W-2 form
Applying for SafeLink Wireless Service in your area is quick and easy. You may apply in one of the following ways:
If you elect to qualify based on program participation:
- Fill out the application on this website.
- Download the completed application for your records.
- Write down the Enrollment ID that we provide when you fill out your application! With your ID you will be able to check on the status of your application here, or by calling us at 1-800-977-3768.
If you elect to qualify based on your level of income:
- Fill out the application on this website. Then, download the completed application. Once you have the application you will need to print it yourself.
- Once you have your completed application, sign the application and return it to us along with copies of documents that prove you qualify for SafeLink Wireless Service. You may return your application to us in one of the following ways:
- Fax the application to 1-800-834-7713. Fax is the fastest way to get your application approved!
- Mail your application to us at PO Box 220009, Milwaukie, OR, 97269-0009. Please allow 2-3 additional weeks for applications that are sent to us through the mail.
- Write down the SafeLink Wireless ID that we provide when you fill out your application! With your ID you will be able to check on the status of your application here, or by calling us at 1-800-977-3768
|
|
