Press Releases

Locations announced for FREE and SAFE tax preparation in Morris County
United Way of Morris County and NORWESCAP OFFER RESIDENTS THROUGHOUT MORRIS COUNTY FREE TAX ADVICE

January 21, 2008 – Morristown, NJ – NORWESCAP and United Way of Morris County are teaming up to ensure eligible Morris County residents get additional money from their tax return this year.  Each year thousands of hard working residents miss out on millions of dollars because they do not claim the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) on their federal and state tax returns.  Many working people simply do not know that they qualify for the credit, and too often they lose much of their return to high commercial preparation fees and "rapid refund" loans. 

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.  Highly trained volunteers are available to offer free and safe tax preparation services at the following sites beginning February 2, 2008: 
Chatham
Chester
Dover
Jefferson
Lake Hiawatha
Long Hill Township
Morristown
Mt. Olive
Pompton Plains
Randolph Township
Rockaway Township
Whippany. 

Exact dates and times are listed in the attached document.  Residents can also call 2-1-1 for additional information and the benefit and the sites offering free preparation services. 

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.  Working people can claim up to thousands of dollars in federal and state income tax benefits through this program.  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 $5,659 in federal and state tax credits for the 2007 tax year. 

United Way urges community members to dial 2-1-1 to find out more about EITC.  Multilingual Help Line Specialists will assist callers in finding out whether they qualify for EITC benefits and directing 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 of Morris County 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 
Andrea Conway
Marketing Communications
United Way of Morris County
973.993.1160, x110
Email