Press Releases
Hard Working Families Missing Out on Millions
United Way and local coalition help Morris County residents claim tax credits they are due, offer free tax assistance
January 17, 2007 – Morristown, NJ – This year, thousands of hard working residents may miss out on millions of dollars because they do not claim the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) on their federal and state tax returns. The reason? Many working people simply do not know they may qualify for the credit, and often lose much of their return to high commercial preparation fees and "rapid refund" loans. But, a coalition of agencies is working together to make sure people claim and keep the tax benefits they are entitled to this year.
Through the EITC program, working people can claim up to thousands of dollars in federal and state income tax benefits. According to the federal government, the EITC lifts nearly four million people out of poverty each year. A low-income family in New Jersey with two or more children could qualify for as much as $5,443 in federal and state tax credits for the 2006 tax year.
United Way and a coalition of agencies, including the 2-1-1 Help Line, NORWESCAP, the IRS, and the New Jersey Department of Human Services, are working together to make sure people claim the EITC tax credit. The extra income from EITC – sometimes thousands of dollars – could build the financial assets of a family, and move them on a path to self-sufficiency.
United Way and the coalition have several events planned to spread the word about EITC. A kick off event is planned for Thursday, February 1, 2007 at the First Memorial Presbyterian Church in Dover, NJ at 10:30am. Speakers at the event include Denise Perry from the Internal Revenue Service and Georjean Trinkle, associate director of NORWESCAP. The event is free, and open to the public. To attend, please call Carole Hasz at 973.989.5773.
Several "Super Saturday" events will also be held at various locations in February and March. "Super Saturday" events offer Morris County residents free tax preparation services, as well as information about this important tax benefit.
United Way urges community members to dial 2-1-1 to find out more about EITC. Multilingual Help Line Specialists will help callers find out whether they can qualify for EITC benefits and tell them where to go for free tax preparation assistance from highly trained volunteers operating at dozens of sites around Northern New Jersey.
For more information about the EITC Awareness Campaign, please email Melissa Wankmuller of United Way, or phone 973.993.1160, x.122.
About United Way of Morris County
United Way of Morris County is dedicated to helping people and improving the quality of life for all residents. We address issues most critical to the future of Morris County by bringing attention, expertise, and resources to them. For more information, visit us on the web at www.uwmorris.org, or call 973.993.1160.
About the 2-1-1 Help Line
2-1-1 is a statewide telephone number, where callers can obtain free, confidential assistance in finding information and resources to help them with common life problems. The 2-1-1 Center is staffed by multilingual Helpline specialists working with a database of thousands of programs, organizations, services, and agencies. The 2-1-1 initiative is sponsored in part by United Way.
About NORWESCAP
NORWESCAP is a non-profit community action agency established in 1965 that creates opportunities for over 30,000 low-income people in northwest New Jersey by providing a large portfolio of self-sufficiency and emergency services. The mission of NORWESCAP is "Fighting Poverty. Creating Opportunities. Changing Lives."
Contact
Jean Funk
Marketing Communications
United Way of Morris County
973.993.1160, x114
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