The FoodBank Launches Free Tax Assistance Program

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NEPTUNE – The FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties launched a free income tax assistance program aimed at helping low- and moderate-income workers maximize their tax benefits.
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) will be offered at six sites, three in Monmouth County and three in Ocean County, throughout the tax season. IRS-certified tax professionals will help filers complete their state and federal returns.
“The FoodBank’s mission is to build food-secure communities in Monmouth and Ocean Counties,” said Carlos M. Rodriguez, executive director of the organization. “As The FoodBank works toward more comprehensive solutions to hunger in our communities, connecting low-income families with tax credits, SNAP and other benefits will provide an opportunity to save and strengthen their families financial health. Ultimately, The FoodBank wants people to shop in our local stores for the food they need and make the purchasing decisions that are right for their families.”
To qualify for free tax assistance, households with dependents must earn $51,000 or less, and households with no dependents must earn $30,000 or less.
FoodBank representatives and volunteers will ensure that filers who are eligible will receive important tax credits that they are entitled to, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Childcare Tax Credit (CTC).
In addition, The FoodBank team will connect people with other critical benefits such as SNAP (food stamps), legal assistance, Super Storm Sandy-related aid and emergency food, if needed.
“The EITC is one of the largest and most successful anti-poverty programs in history,” Rodriguez said. “EITC has a proven track record of lifting families out of poverty, putting as much as $5,000 back into the pockets of working families who are living on the edges of poverty. This will not only help families, it will put money back into the local economy at a time when businesses are struggling to recover after Hurricane Sandy.”
The FoodBank’s VITA program is run in partnership with the IRS, Cowan, Gunteski & Co, P.A., and the host sites, and is supported by the Robin Hood Foundation and Singlestop USA.
VITA is available at the following sites now through April 15:
In Monmouth County:
SCAN Adult Education Center, Monmouth Mall, Eatontown, from 4 to 8 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fridays
Lunch Break, 103 Drs. James Parker Blvd., Red Bank, from 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays
Hispanic Affairs, 913 Sewall Ave., Asbury Park, from 4 to 8 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays
Filers should bring all required documents including a valid photo ID; copies of previous returns; all income statements including W-2, Social Security and unemployment income; 1099 forms, birth dates and Social Security numbers for all dependents; and a check showing a bank routing number for direct deposit, if applicable.
Additional information is available by contacting The FoodBank at 732-918-2600 or visit­ing www.foodbankmoc.org.