With the annual tax season upon us, local partners are coming together to host free tax preparation sites that will allow low-to-moderate income residents to get tax credits they deserve, and put more money into their pockets.
In the Spring of 2011, Judy Brooks of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in Chicago approached Kishwaukee United Way and other community organizations about coming together to assist families in DeKalb County. The IRS’s goal was to increase the number of people eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) in DeKalb County. Each year, hundreds of residents miss out on funds that are due to them as a part of their tax return. As a result of the IRS outreach, the DeKalb County CA$H Coalition was formed. The acronym, CA$H stand for “Creating Assets, Savings and Hope”. The group’s mission is to provide educational tools and community resources for family asset development through the claiming of tax credits, quality volunteer tax return preparation, and other asset building options. Members of this coalition include Goodwill Industries of Northern Illinois, Kishwaukee United Way, the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), Northern Illinois University’s College of Business, and DeKalb County Community Services
For their part, Goodwill Industries and AARP will host local VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) sites throughout DeKalb County. Goodwill’s site will be at the DeKalb store location at 1037 South Annie Glidden Road in DeKalb and will host volunteers from the Accountancy Program at NIU’s College of Business on Thursdays from 12 to 8 pm January 26 through April 14, 2012. The VITA Volunteer Tax Preparers will be IRS-certified to assist community members in claiming any special credits and deductions for which they may be eligible. This program is open to families with incomes less than $50,000 per year and individuals with incomes less than $25,000.
AARP’s sites will be at:
- DeKalb County Community Outreach Building, 2500 N. Annie Glidden Road, DeKalb, Thursdays 9 am – 12 pm by appointment only 815.758.3910
- DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak Street, Saturdays 9am – 12 pm
- DeKalb Senior Service Center, 330 Grove, Suite# 3, DeKalb, Tuesdays 1 – 4 pm by appointment only 815.758.4718
- Sycamore Methodist Church, 160 Johnson Avenue, Sycamore, Wednesdays 12 – 4 pm *No admittance before 12:00pm
- IDEAL Industries, 1022 Park Avenue, Sycamore Saturdays 9am – 12 pm
- Kirkland Municipal Building, 511 W. Main Street, Kirkland Tuesdays 1 – 4 pm or by appointment 815.522.6179
- Resource Bank, 310 S. IL Route 23, Genoa Fridays & Saturdays 9 am – 12 pm
These sites will offer free assistance to those with low-to-moderate incomes, including the elderly and persons with disabilities.
To get further information about specific sites, or to volunteer to help, contact Kishwaukee United Way at 815.756.7522 or email: info@kishwaukeeunitedway.com
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