Get the most out of your tax return – income tax filing help is available to everyone
by Jennifer Kneuss
January 25, 2011
313
Its that time again – income tax season, with all of its new rules, exemptions, new filing guidelines, and more. Some citizens choose to take all of their records to a local tax service company, others shuffle along, line by line, doing their best to make sense of it all themselves before shoving all of the copies into a large envelope, and sending it off to the IRS with fingers crossed. Still others use tax preparation software and file their returns online.
For those who are looking for a little extra help, at least two local agencies are standing by with assistance. Tax preparation companies can be pricey, so the United Way of Tuscarawas County, in conjunction with the Internal Revenue Service, is again offering free income tax service for low-income residents and senior citizens.
We have Dick Berichon working with those who would like assistance in getting this necessary, but often complicated, responsibility out of the way, stated Scott Robinson, director of the local United Way office. However, all assistance must be scheduled in advance by calling 330-339-3722.
Andrea Mathews, Financial Literacy coach for the HARCATUS Family Support office in New Philadelphia, notes that her office is also involved in assisting those who need help in income tax preparation. Anyone, regardless of income level, can receive the service. Mathews uses her dual degrees in accounting and business management to help residents. On January 4, she also completed a Tuscarawas Kent State campus offered tax training class through the Ohio Benefits Bank, which addressed how to utilize Ohio Benefits Bank software that the organization uses for tax filing assistance.
She notes that one change for 2011 is that those who must file a long form, itemizing deductions on a Schedule A, must wait until February 14 to file. This also applies to those who wish to claim tuition and fees or educator expenses on their returns.
Another tax change is that you get three extra days to file, until April 18, Mathews pointed out.
We are having tax clinics at the New Philadelphia Tuscarawas County Public Library on February 26, and again on March 12, from 10 am to 4 pm. These are walk-in clinics, or you can call us for actual appointment times on those dates. There is also one at the Claymont Public Library on March 5, also from 10 to 4. At both of these, there will be four of us, as well as several volunteers, on site to assist people. Christian Boswell, an Americorp worker, is in charge of our Ohio Benefits Bank, including the income tax preparation portion of our services.
Anyone going in the walk in clinics need to bring social security numbers for all family members, all birth dates, and W-2 forms.
We e-file their state and federal tax returns, and their refund is direct deposited or mailed to them. However, we cannot assist those who are doing the 1040 long form, and suggest they contact the United Way office for that level of assistance, noted Mathews.
Those who wish to do so have the option of going directly to any of the HARCATUS offices in New Philadelphia, Dennison, Cadiz, or Carrollton for personalized, one-on-one help. Boswell will be traveling throughout Tuscarawas, Harrison, and Carroll Counties to provide these services.
Mathews warns consumers against using instant tax services where a fee is charged.
When you come to us at Ohio Benefits Bank, and do your income tax filing with us, your return goes directly to the IRS, and the refund is given directly to you. There is no middleman to hold up your money, or to charge you any fees for services. We also will provide the additional service of budgeting tips and other helpful information while you are at the tax clinic, and I will be on hand to assist those who wish to have me help them in those areas.
To make a tax preparation appointment, call the HARCATUS Family Support Ohio Benefits Bank office at 330-343-8770, or stop in at 140 West High Avenue, just off the Quaker Cinema parking lot in downtown New Philadelphia.
