Free Tax Help Available for Eligible Taxpayers

Eligible taxpayers can receive free help preparing their 2009 income tax return — and potentially increase their refunds by claiming the earned income tax credit — at sites hosted by Henrico County and the Greater Richmond Earned Income Tax Credit Coalition (GREITCC).

The earned income tax credit is a refundable credit designed to help families and individuals who work and earn modest incomes — generally, families with children earning less than $43,279 and individuals without children earning less than $13,440. The benefit could increase a federal refund by as much as $5,657 for families with three or more children and $457 for individuals.

Trained volunteers will help eligible taxpayers prepare and file returns at coalition sites throughout the metropolitan area. In Henrico, the GREITCC will operate at the Human Services Building, 8600 Dixon Powers Drive, each Tuesday and Thursday 4-8 p.m until April 14.

The GREITCC works to help low-to-moderate income families maximize tax refunds that can help pay bills and reduce debt. The coalition also offers qualifying taxpayers a free alternative to paid tax-preparation services. Last year, coalition volunteers helped area residents file 1,734 federal returns, generating $804,232 in earned income tax credit funds and a total of $1,865,398 in federal returns. The free service saved filers an estimated $346,800 in preparation fees.

For more information, contact Henrico County at 501-4091, the GREITCC at (804) 775-6432, or  the United Way information service at 211.