ST. MARYS, OHIO -- Economic Stimulus Payments Hinge on Filing Federal Return. Free tax preparation assistance available for households earning under $54,000 per year.
More than 130 million American households have begun receiving Internal Revenue Service letters reminding them to file a 2007 tax return in order to receive a 2008 economic stimulus payment. The informational notice, titled Economic Stimulus Payment Notice, alerts people that they may be eligible for a one-time stimulus payment of up to $600 ($1200 married filing jointly) starting in May. There is also a $300 per child payment for qualifying children younger than 17.
"This is an important opportunity to help get money into the hands of those who need it," remarked Susan Heitkamp of the United Way of Auglaize County, "but for those who typically are not required to file a return, this can be a little overwhelming - and under the law, they won't receive their rebates unless they file a federal return. Our biggest job was recruiting the volunteers for program training with the Benefit Bank program, but we now have nine local counselors trained and hope to expand the program next year." Relatively speaking, obtaining an appropriate location for the clinic was simple, "We thought of Wright State's Lake Campus since it's so central geographically for residents of Mercer and Auglaize Counties and we knew they would be able to accommodate our technological needs, and they were gracious enough to make room in their schedule for the clinic."
Locally, the United Way of Auglaize County is partnering with the Ohio Governor's Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives and the Ohio Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks to help low- and moderate-income Ohioans obtain free federal and state income tax preparation assistance, and to identify other work support benefits for which they may be eligible.
Free income tax preparation assistance is provided through the Ohio Benefit Bank, a web-based, counselor-assisted program that connects low- and middle-income Ohioans with access to potential work supports, such as health care coverage, home energy assistance, child care subsidies and food stamps. At the state's 120 Benefit Bank sites and clinics, trained counselors will help Ohioans prepare and file their tax returns at no cost, if they meet the income eligibility requirement of less than $54,000 per year in household income. If eligible, clients can also claim the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), a special tax refund program for working families and individuals who qualify for their program. The United Way of Auglaize County serves as a local Benefit Bank Site.
"Each year, many eligible taxpayers miss out on getting free tax preparation assistance because they either don't know it's available or they don't know where to get this valuable service," said Heitkamp. "Furthermore, at least one in every four taxpayers eligible for the EITC fails to claim the credit, that was the main reason our office decided to become a local Benefit Bank Site. After the first clinic at the beginning of February, it became apparent that there is a real need for this type of service. We're seeing individuals who have never filed their taxes before - they may be someone newly widowed or on their own for the first time and this is a great tool for empowering people. Some of them may very well decide to file on-line on their own next year."
Each year, more than $1.6 billion dollars in tax credits and other supports go unclaimed by eligible Ohioans who do not apply. More than 95% of these unclaimed funds are federal dollars. Claiming these dollars will bring more federal money to Ohio, therefore helping to boost the State's economy.
For the first time, eligible individuals also can obtain free tax preparation assistance by visiting the Ohio Benefit Bank's new free online, self-service program at www.OBB.Ohio.Gov. This program is designed to help individuals and families prepare and electronically file their taxes and claim all the credits for which they are eligible at no cost to them. With direct deposit, clients can receive their refund in as few as seven to ten days.
The upcoming Benefit Bank Tax Clinic will be held on March 27 from 2:00 - 9:00 pm at Wright State University's Lake Campus in Computer Lab 188. Individuals must schedule an appointment in advance to file their return. To schedule an appointment, please contact the United Way of Auglaize County at 419-739-7717 or via e-mail at uwa@bright.net.
