Income-qualified families are eligible for free services The Social Development Commission announced today that it is offering FREE tax preparation services
at all three of its sites, to households earning less than $56,000 annually. The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program is available to Milwaukee County residents from January 20 through April 15, 2015, at SDC’s Chase Avenue, Richards Street and Teutonia Avenue sites. All sites can prepare a limited number of tax returns each day, so services are available on a first come, first serve basis.
“We are pleased to be the lead agency for these important tax preparation services,” said George Hinton, Chief Executive Officer of SDC. “One of SDC’s overarching goals is to help move people out of poverty and tax returns are just one strategy to facilitate that. The IRS estimates that one out of five individuals that qualify for unearned income tax credits don’t claim them or other deductions such as Homestead Credit. We want to assist our community and, in the process of helping them prepare taxes, help ensure they receive monies due them.” In addition to providing free tax preparation, all of the SDC tax preparation are ‘super sites,’ which means that other services are also available.
Health insurance enrollment and public benefits applications and renewals assistance is available by certified staff from health center partners. Financial institutions are also on site at SDC Super Sites to give clients the opportunity to open bank accounts and obtain other financial and asset building opportunities.
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program is a project of the Milwaukee Asset Building Coalition (MABC). VITA assists low income Milwaukee County residents achieve financial independence through education, planning and income development. The Social Development Commission is the lead agency for MABC. When filing joint tax returns, both individuals must be present, and valid picture IDs are required. For a list of other items to bring, go to www.cr-sdc.org or call (414)963-2694.
