Schedule Your VITA Appointment, My Free Taxes, Flu Season, My Place CT

2-1-1 Connecticut | 2-1-1 Child Care | Child Development Infoline | Community Results Center

January

2018

COMMUNITY CONNECTION

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Tax Credits

A Message from Richard Porth

President/CEO of United Way of Connecticut

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offers free tax preparation services to individuals and families with a total household income at or below $54,000 in 2017. The program recruits and trains volunteers who help taxpayers prepare and file their tax forms at VITA sites located throughout the state. Last tax season more than 35,000 Connecticut workers filed their taxes for free at VITA sites across Connecticut!

Trained, IRS-certified volunteers also help families and individuals secure tax credits such as the Child Tax Credit , Child and Dependent Tax Credit and the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) . The EITC puts money back into the pockets of low and moderate income workers and is considered our nation's most effective pro-work, anti-poverty tool. In 2017, 216,000 Connecticut workers secured an average of $2,211 in EITC; however, it is estimated almost 25% of qualifying households do not claim the EITC on their tax return.

2-1-1 Connecticut in collaboration with Connecticut United Ways and community partners is committed to connecting filers with free tax preparation services and valuable tax credits.

Visit www.211ct.org/taxhelp for more information on the VITA program and click HERE to watch a quick video on VITA.

My Free Taxes

Would you rather file your tax return online? For the past nine years, United Way has partnered with H&R Block to provide free tax filing online. If you earned $66,000 or less in 2017, visit www.myfreetaxes.com to complete your state and federal tax return in less than an hour, absolutely free! This step by step, online tax filing program uses the same tax filing software as H&R Block and allows individuals to conveniently file from a computer, tablet or smartphone.

If you have questions, an IRS-certified specialist is available to provide assistance (in English or Spanish) via chat, email or by calling 1-855-698-9435. Visit www.myfreetaxes.com to get started!

Stay Healthy During Flu Season

The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose , throat, and sometimes the lungs. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a yearly flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against the flu. Other everyday preventative actions include avoiding close contact with sick people, frequently washing your hands (especially before eating) and disinfecting any surface or objects that may be contaminated.

If you have not received your annual flu shot use the Healthmap Vaccine Finder to find a list of locations administering the flu vaccine near you.

For more information on how to prevent the seasonal flu visit CDC's Influenza Page or check out 2-1-1's Seasonal Flu Vaccination eLibary Paper.

My Place CT

My Place CT is a free resource dedicated to helping older adults and people with disabilities live independently in their home or community. My Place CT makes it easier to find care, services and supports and links to the tools and information you need to find local, state and federal resources.

Visit www.myplacect.org to access the resources and information you or those you care for need to live independently.

The mission of United Way of Connecticut is to help meet the needs of Connecticut and its residents by providing information, education and connection to services.