Worcester, Massachusetts - In conjunction with the nationwide Earned Income Tax Credit Awareness Day, the Worcester Free Tax Service Coalition today kicked off its 14th year of providing free tax preparation services for local, low-income households at a program held at the NeighborWorks HomeOwnership Center of Central Massachusetts. The program utilizes IRS-trained volunteers to prepare tax returns for households earning less than $54,000.
"Every year low-income families in Worcester are better able to put food on the table and provide for their loved ones thanks to the Earned Income Tax Credit," Congressman Jim McGovern (MA-02) said. "This program makes a tremendous difference in so many lives. I am proud to support the Worcester Free Tax Service Coalition and all they do to ensure all our hardworking families are able to get the help they need."
 "The Worcester Free Tax Service Coalition provides a vital service to aid our low-income workers and families by providing free tax preparation in addition to bringing awareness to the Earned Income Tax Credit, one of our country's most successful anti-poverty programs. We're proud to collaborate on these important programs which help further improve the lives of our residents
," said Worcester City Manager Edward M. Augustus, Jr.
For tax year 2016, WFTSC served nearly 2,000 households generating more than $3.4 million dollars in returns, with an average federal refund of $1,849.
"
I believe the Worcester Free Tax Service is perfectly representative of the best of Worcester: agencies and businesses and individuals all working together for the greater good of community. We at the United Way of Central Massachusetts are proud to be a partner in this coalition that achieves so much good," said United Way of Central Massachusetts President and CEO Tim Garvin.
WCAC's Job & Education Center Director Carrick O'Brien agreed, adding, "WCAC is pleased to continue the tradition of offering VITA. This is a critical program that helps individuals and families achieve economic self-sufficiency. Tax return dollars are often used to improve housing situations, make car repairs so people can get to work, repair credit and start saving money. Without the excellent work of our Site Coordinator - Mr. B. - and our dedicated volunteers, this program would not be where it is today."
For 2017, four VITA sites will again be available: Worcester Community Action Council, Inc. located on the second floor of the Denholm Building, 484 Main Street, Worcester; Main South Community Development Corporation located at 875 Main Street, Worcester; Community Builders/Plumley Village located at 16 Laurel Street, Worcester; and at Worcester State University, 486 Chandler Street, Worcester. Additional details about specific appointment times can be found at
www.WCAC.net/VITA
Partners in the Worcester Free Tax Service Coalition include:
Plumley Village,
Main South CDC,
Worcester State University,
Worcester Community Action Council, the
IRS,
WCCA-TV 194,
Assumption College,
Allcom Credit Union,
United Way of Central MA,
Assumption College,
UNUM, Worcester
City Manager's Office of Economic
and Neighborhood Development.
Sponsors for this season's initiative include:
MassCAP, the
IRS,
St. Mary's Credit Union,
UniBank,
WebsterFive, and the
City of Worcester's Community Development Block Grant Program.
Additionally, the kick-off coincided with the launch of a new program-- Bank On Worcester County, led by Worcester Community Action Council and funded by the Health Foundation of Central MA. Intended to bring unbanked and underbanked individuals in to the financial mainstream, the program has established a coalition of financial institutions, community-based organizations, and local government. Through the Bank On program, clients will gain access to affordable banking products and financial education at area financial institutions in Worcester and Southbridge. Additional information about the program can be found
online at www.WCAC.net/Bank-On.
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