January
2020
COMMUNITY CONNECTION
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Tax Credits
A Message from Richard Porth         
President/CEO, 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 $56,000 in 2019. The program recruits and trains volunteers who help taxpayers prepare and file their tax forms at VITA sites located throughout the state.

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. 

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.

2-1-1 Can Help You Schedule Your FREE Tax Appointment Today!
 
Visit www.211ct.org/taxhelp  to learn more about VITA, schedule your tax appointment and to locate a VITA site near you. 
My Free Taxes 
 
Would you rather file your tax return online? If you earned $66,000 or less in 2019, 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.

My Free Taxes is the only free, national, online tax filing product offered by a nonprofit. United Way has made it available to over 100 million U.S. taxpayers as part of our fight for the financial stability of every person in every community.

Visit www.myfreetaxes.com to get started!

2-1-1 Community Events Calendar 

The 2-1-1 Community Events Calendar is maintained by 2-1-1's Information Services team and is a source for information on upcoming events around the state. The calendar allows those interested in local happenings to search by day and location as well as narrow their search by event categories such as:
  • Education
  • Employment
  • Food
  • Health Care
  • Housing
  • Veterans
Click HERE to view upcoming events in your community.

Are you interested in listing your agency's events on the 2-1-1 Community Events Calendar?
 
Submissions can be made to the 2-1-1 Community Events Calendar, as long as the event is free of charge, open to the public, and sponsored or hosted by an agency that is currently listed with 2-1-1. Click HERE to submit an upcoming event. 

Can You Walk in ALICE's Shoes?

Connecticut United Ways are committed to standing with ALICE households that, despite working hard, live paycheck to paycheck and experience financial hardship. 

ALICE (an acronym that stands for A sset L imited, I ncome C onstrained, E mployed) households are forced to make difficult financial choices every day. Working parents choose between quality child care and healthy food for their children. Young adults juggling multiple jobs with inconsistent schedules choose between expensive rent and a long commute to work. Aging adults weigh whether to ignore a car repair or keep their homes warmer. 

The most recent Connecticut United Ways ALICE Report revealed that 30% of Connecticut households are ALICE. In an effort to illuminate the hard choices faced by ALICE, Connecticut United Ways challenge you to walk in ALICE's shoes. Click HERE to take the ALICE challenge!