NEWS For Immediate Release
Date: January 18, 2012
Contact: Kathy Day, 229-2470
Maureen Haggblom, mhaggblom@ak.org, 263-3823
Anchorage, AK – The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) estimates that 15 percent of Anchorage residents qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) but fail to apply for it when they file their Federal Income Taxes. That’s just one reason why United Way of Anchorage is working with partners like AARP-Tax Aide to offer free tax preparation for qualified Alaskans again this year.
This tax season, Alaskans can take advantage of free tax preparation at eight sites around Anchorage and at three Super Saturday events. For the first time in Anchorage, a FAST Tax Site also will be offered at Gateway Learning Center, 801 Karluk Street, where filers will have access to free computers and volunteers who can assist them in getting started with filing their taxes online. Anchorage Free Tax Preparation Program organizers have set a goal of helping 4,500 area residents file their taxes (not counting military bases). Last tax season, Alaskans who filed from free local tax preparation sites saved more than $900,000 in preparation costs while being guided to over $1.7 million in Earned Income Tax Credits (EITC) and ultimately receiving more than $10 million in returns.
“The free tax prep program is one way we can help individuals and families get on the road to long-term financial stability,” said United Way of Anchorage President Michele Brown. “Filing your taxes on time, making sure you get the maximum refund and seeing if you qualify for the EITC is critical for everyone, but especially those who are living paycheck to paycheck.”
Most free tax preparation sites will open the week of February 1 in neighborhoods around Anchorage, offering a variety of operation times and days; all eight sites will be open by mid-February. In addition, the first Super Saturday event is scheduled from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, January 28, at the Northeast Community Center (1251 N. Muldoon Road). See the attached news release for a full listing of free tax preparation sites, dates and times, as well as details on Super Saturday events, qualifications, and a list of what Alaskans should bring to the tax preparation sites.
Taxpayers have until April 17 to file their tax returns this year because of Emancipation Day, a holiday observed in the District of Columbia which falls on Friday, April 15.
Free tax preparation in Anchorage is made possible by a collaboration between United Way of Anchorage, the IRS, AARP Tax-Aide, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA), the University of Alaska Anchorage, Wal-Mart Foundation, the National Disability Institute, the faith-based community, individual volunteers, nonprofits and government service providers.
For more details on tax preparation sites, contact Alaska 2-1-1 by dialing 2-1-1 or 1-800-478-2221, join us on Facebook and visit the website at www.freetaxprepANC.com.
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About United Way of Anchorage
United Way of Anchorage works to advance the common good by creating opportunities for a better life for all by focusing on the three key building blocks for a good life: education, income and health. The goal is to create lasting changes that prevent problems from happening in the first place. United Way invites everyone to be part of the change. GIVE. ADVOCATE. VOLUNTEER. LIVE UNITED. Please visit LIVEUNITEDANCHORAGE.org.
