Beginning in January, LIFT-Boston will offer free tax preparation services to low-income individuals and families at its sites in Somerville and Cambridge. Trained tax advocates will assist clients with preparing and submitting tax returns online, in addition to identifying eligibility for valuable tax credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).
The tax sites are part of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA), sponsored by the IRS in response to growing concern that many Americans cannot afford to pay for-profit preparers for tax filing assistance, and consequently do not take advantage of valuable tax breaks, credits and deductions.
In 2010, LIFT-Boston secured $444,800 in total refunds for LIFT clients. Had these clients gone to paid preparers, they would have spent 20 percent of their refunds on fees or, if they tried to prepare their taxes independently, may have received a much smaller refund. The refunds and credits place money directly into the pockets of struggling families, which converts to better economic and social health of local communities.
In addition to giving people a significant economic boost, LIFT’s tax advocates gain experience in preparing taxes, understanding tax code, and strengthening their financial literacy.
For more information and to schedule an appointment, contact LIFT-Boston.
LIFT-Cambridge
Weekday Evening Tax Clinics
LIFT-Cambridge Office
19 Brookline Street, Cambridge, MA
January 18th– April 15th,
Mondays, 9am-8pm
(617) 349-6294
LIFT-Somerville
Weekday Evening Tax Clinics
LIFT-Somerville Office
366 Somerville Ave, Somerville, MA
January 24th – April 18th,
Monday – Thursday, 5pm-8pm
(617) 591-9400
Saturday Tax Clinics
Mystic Housing Development – Computer Lab
530 Mystic Ave # 111, Somerville, MA
Saturday, January 22nd, 12pm-6pm
Saturday, February 5th, 12pm-6pm
Roosevelt Towers
14 Roosevelt Towers, Cambridge, MA
Saturday, January 29th, 9am-4pm
Somerville Public Library
79 Highland Ave, Somerville, MA
Saturday, March 26th 9am-4pm
Saturday, April 3rd, 9am-4pm
Collaborating with several community partners as part of the Somerville Tax Task Force, LIFT-Somerville is conducting extensive tax outreach to reach more residents in 2011. Community partners have already contacted local housing developments to place flyers in monthly mailings sent to residents.
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