Filing taxes can leave even the most confident taxpayers second guessing everything they thought they knew about IRS forms. While some may find filing taxes a breeze, many people muddle through tax season hoping for the best. Thousands of local families that need refunds to make ends meet may be stretching their budgets too thin to pay for tax preparation fees or they may miss out on income boosting opportunities like the Earned Income Tax Credit.
The Free Community Tax Service, led by United Way, removes those barriers by providing low- to moderate-income families with free tax preparation assistance. To qualify, families must make under $54,000 annually (or $64,000 using MyFreeTaxes.org).
Sites begin opening on February 1st, but you can schedule an appointment today.
Last year, Free Community Tax Service volunteers helped file 3,030 state and federal tax returns and saved residents of Monroe and Owen county as much as $925,000 in tax preparation fees. Keeping those funds in the pockets of needy families can make a big difference.
Our annual campaign is in the home stretch and we need you to join in empowering your community! All contributions go to United Way and our 25 member agencies to help the people in our community learn more, earn more, and lead safer and healthier lives.
Thanks to our generous donors who so far have contributed $1,012,438! Every dollar donated will make a local, lasting impact.
Thanks to these organizations and their active commitment to changing lives right here in south central Indiana:
German American
German American
is leading the way for our community through $7,635 in employee contributions and a generous $12,500 corporate gift.
The Herald-Times
The Herald-Times
reported employee donations of $5,342 to help build a better future.
Hoosier Hills Food Bank
Employees at Hoosier Hills Food Bank,
a United Way member agency, are feeding the hungry and fighting poverty with $2,024 in donations.
Interested in having a campaign at your workplace? It's not too late! Find out how to start empowering your community. Contact our Resource Development Director Sarah Taylor by email or give her a call at (812) 334-8370 ext 13.
Healthy Body, Healthy Mind
Jamie and his sister are growing like weeds and need good, nutritious meals. But healthy food is expensive and, for low-income households like Jamie's, is often difficult to afford. With the help of member agencies like Hoosier Hills Food Bank, Community Kitchen, and Mother Hubbard's Cupboard, families like Jamie's can get nutritious food, and also learn about healthy food preparation the whole family is sure to enjoy. Your donation of $1 a week can provide 50 bags of groceries to low-income families.
While Jamie and his family are able to access nutritious food, keeping a healthy mind is also important. Jamie can tell his parents get stressed and his anxiety keeps him from realizing his full potential. With counseling services from United Way member agencies like Catholic Charities, Jamie's family can take care of their emotional health as well as their bodies. Your donation of $30 a week can provide an at-risk child and his family with counseling for a year.
Why United Way? "At IU Health Bloomington our community is so important to us. Supporting United Way and its agencies is one way we can give back in a diversified way. Just as we touch lives directly in health care, United Way is important to sustaining others to achieve their maximum potential, helping families get ahead, and assuring that basic needs are being met. I am proud to have been a part of our recent campaign as we achieved our campaign goal, making successful United Way, its agencies, and our community."
-- Ted Jackson, IU Health Bloomington Hospital United Way campaign co-chair and Director of Pulmonary and Radiology Services.
We extend a very hearty thank you to Ted Jackson and Wanda
Katinszky, who served as co-chairs for the IU Health Bloomington Hospital United Way campaign. Their leadership, along with support from CEO Matt Bailey and former CEO Mark Moore, invigorated the IU Health team to contribute $47,054 -- soaring right by their original $35,000 goal.
Ten volunteers in a variety of categories will be given Be More Awards and $500 for their volunteer organization. United Way is proud to partner with the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network and other local organizations to celebrate local volunteers.
And be sure to save the date to join the Be More Awards Celebration event on Tuesday, March 28, 2017 at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater.
United Way of Monroe County is a nonprofit organization that improves people's lives by addressing critical needs today and working to reduce those needs tomorrow. Through our Community Action Fund, Priority Funds, and grant initiatives, we work with 25 member agencies and other community partners to focus resources on the building blocks for a better life: education, earnings, and the essentials.
441 S. College Ave, Bloomington, IN 47403
| (812) 334-8370
