HARTFORD, CT -- United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut announced that 12,267 tax filers in its service area received $28,732,417 in refunds and credits thanks to the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and MyFreeTaxes.com programs.
The VITA program offers appointments with IRS-certified volunteers who help people accurately complete and submit their federal and state tax returns, claim applicable tax credits and get financial resources to help them plan for the future. MyFreeTaxes.com is an online tax filing software to help people file their federal and state taxes.
In partnership with the IRS, The Village for Families & Children, Human Resources Agency of New Britain, and United Way provided orientation, training and support to volunteers who provided tax preparation at no cost and connected filers with opportunities to become more financially secure.
Free tax help was available between January 24 to April 17 to individuals and families with incomes up to $54,000 at 24 VITA sites in the Greater Hartford and Windham regions and 5 VITA sites in New Britain.
The region’s 500 VITA volunteers contributed 35,500 hours of volunteer time – with an estimated value of $1 million.
Individuals earning less than $66,000 were able to file both federal and state taxes through MyFreeTaxes, a free, online tax filing product offered by United Way Worldwide and H&R Block.
The IRS predicts that 20 percent of eligible taxpayers don’t claim their federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). Tax filers using the VITA and MyFreeTaxes programs received more than $7 million from the EITC this tax season.
The 2018 VITA and MyFreeTaxes program partners are: Community Accounting Services; Human Resources Agency of New Britain; Internal Revenue Service; The Village for Families & Children, United Way of CT 2-1-1, and United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut. The program is generously supported by the American Savings Foundation; Farmington Bank Community Foundation; Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, the IRS, United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut and Webster Bank.
About United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut
United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut serves its 40-town region by mobilizing people and organizations to give, advocate and volunteer to promote early childhood education, ensure families are financially secure, provide access to health-related services and supports, and immediate emergency assistance, such as food and shelter. For more information, visit unitedwayinc.org.
About The Village
For more than 200 years, The Village for Families & Children has been working to build a community of strong, healthy families who protect and nurture children. We fulfill this mission by providing a full range of behavioral health treatment and support services for children and adults – including parenting education classes, outpatient mental health therapy, substance abuse treatment, and foster care and adoption – which help them achieve real and meaningful change in their lives. For more information, visit www.thevillage.org or call 860-236-4511.
About Human Resources Agency of New Britain
Since 1964 the Human Resources Agency of New Britain, Inc. has been dedicated to increasing economic self-sufficiency among individuals and families. HRA is a multi-service non-profit community action agency whose mission is to improve the quality of life by helping people achieve economic and social potential; responding to the causes and conditions of poverty; and building stronger individuals, families and communities. Serving 6 communities: New Britain, Bristol, Burlington, Farmington, Plainville & Plymouth CT
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Contact:
Elyssa M. Millspaugh
Content Marketing Manager
United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut
emillspaugh@unitedwayinc.org
860-493-1119
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