CONTACT:
Jackie Nelson
Lutheran Social Service
612/969-2286
Jackie.Nelson@lssmn.org
Free Tax
Clinic in Minneapolis for People Who Qualify
Minneapolis, MN
- It's tax filing
time and, for many of us, doing our taxes can be expensive to prepare with
professional tax assistance, especially on a modest income.
Starting February 4, the Personal Finance
Center in Minneapolis is working in partnership with AccountAbility
Minnesota to offer free tax clinics through April 15 for people who meet
income guidelines.
Free tax preparation assistance is
available to individuals with an annual income of $27,000 or less per
year and families with an annual income of $37,000 or less. Tax
preparation is done by volunteer accountants, certified public
accountants, accounting students and tax professionals.
"AccountAbility Minnesota began 35 years
ago with the understanding that all people should have access to
professional tax preparation assistance, even if they are not able to
afford the service," explained Carlene Coleman, director of the Personal
Finance Center in Minneapolis, a project of Faith in the City. "This
service can help modest-income individuals and families make the most of
refundable tax credits and have confidence that their taxes are done
right."
Coleman said that some families who qualify
for the Earned Income Tax Credit, a credit that can significantly boost a
family's income to make ends meet, miss out because they don't know they
are eligible. Other families spend money on fees for commercial tax
preparation or Refund Anticipation Loans for immediate access to refunds.
The Faith in the City Tax Clinic will waive these fees and also ensure
that individuals make the most of their refund, to include avoiding hefty
annual percentage rates that can be as high as 200 percent or more. The
Faith in the City Personal Finance Center offers a continuum of programs
and services that enable individuals to achieve financial security.
Beginning February 4, the tax clinics will
be offered on Tuesdays starting at 6:00 p.m. and Saturdays at 9:00 a.m. at
the Personal Finance Center, located within Lutheran Social Service at
2414 Park Avenue in Minneapolis. Service will be offered on a first-come,
first serve basis.
Individuals will need to bring several
forms and information with them, including a valid picture I.D., social
security cards, income statements, year-end statements, and documentation
of various expenses related to housing, daycare and education. For more
information about what to bring, please visit
www.accountabilitymn.org for a specific checklist. To talk with a
representative at the Personal Finance Center, please call 612/879-5220.
LSS Office of Communications
Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota
2485 Como Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55108
1-800-582-5260
651/642-5990
FAX 651/969-2360
Jackie.Nelson@lssmn.org
