United States Senator Sheldon Whitehouse Lt. Governor Elizabeth Roberts Treasurer Gina Raimondo Help Kick Off Free Tax Preparation For Rhode Island Residents
Published 01/29/13
Cranston, RI – United States Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, Lt. Governor Elizabeth Roberts, and Rhode Island Treasurer Gina Raimondo join Rhode Island Community Action Association (RICAA), Citizens Bank Foundation, and the United Way of Rhode Island to announce a public awareness campaign for free tax preparation. The campaign will educate Rhode Islanders of the IRS’ Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) program and its benefits to individuals and married couples.
The launch of the public awareness campaign is January 25th 10am at the Museum of Work and Culture in Woonsocket.
“In this tough economy, we need to ensure that Rhode Islanders get the tax refunds to which they are entitled, “says U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse. “This campaign will help Rhode Islanders prepare their tax forms and determine if they are eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit, which can be worth several thousand dollars to qualifying families. I encourage Rhode Islanders to take advantage of these important services.”
Jeanne Gattegno is CEO of Westbay Community Action and Board Chair of the RI Community Action Association, whose member network serves more than 200,000 Rhode Islanders each year. “We see people struggling every day,” says Gattegno, “this extra money really helps. It’s easy. People can call United Way’s toll free helpline, 2-1-1 for a Volunteer Tax Assistance site nearest them.”
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program, now in its ninth year, offers certified tax preparation volunteers at VITA sites throughout Rhode Island including the eight member agencies of Rhode Island Community Action. United Way of Rhode Island has funded the VITA sites since 2004 and contributed $68,000 to the program’s community action agencies last year. Information on site locations and free tax preparation is available to all tax filers by calling United Way’s toll-free helpline, 2-1-1.
“The EITC/VITA campaign is a great example of how much can be accomplished when we work together to help people who are struggling in these difficult economic times,” says Anthony Maione, President & CEO, United Way of Rhode Island.
“The Citizens Bank Foundation is pleased to support the EITC public awareness program”, says Ned Handy, President of Citizens Bank Rhode Island and Connecticut. “The tax credit benefits the hard working members of our community as well as the Rhode Island economy.”
The maximum tax credit savings a filer can be eligible for is $5,891. In 2012, Earned Income Tax Credits brought nearly $15 million dollars to the state of Rhode Island.
