CLEARFIELD – Central Pennsylvania Community Action is pleased to announce that they will again be sponsoring the Clearfield County Money In Your Pocket Program.
Money In Your Pocket is an Earned Income Tax Credit Program promoted by the Internal Revenue Service and involves volunteers helping community members who cannot afford professional tax assistance. EITC is a federal income tax credit for low and moderate income working families and individuals. This credit can increase the amount of the refund or reduce the amount of taxes owed. Seventy percent of Clearfield County residents who are eligible for Earned Income Tax Credit paid a tax preparer to file their annual return.
Some families can pay as much as $300 for tax preparation including special offers and quick return of refunds.
Money In Your Pocket will help these families and individuals from paying some of the high costs associated with paying a preparer and participating in the rapid anticipation loans. In the past 2 years, Money In Your Pocket has completed 276 tax returns, bringing over $167,800 in EITC payments to Clearfield County. That is money that is earned here and kept here. Trained volunteer tax assistors explain the many special credits and deductions available and how people
may claim them on their tax returns. Volunteers will help individuals complete and electronically file their returns – all for free. Refunds can be received in as little as 7 days with a bank direct deposit.
Who are these volunteers? People just like you – college students, homemakers, member of volunteer or community organizations, and businessmen and women. Volunteer Tax Assistors receive free instruction, training and certification materials necessary to prepare basic income tax returns.
Training and certification will be held in January.
Volunteers are also needed to help in other ways. Some volunteers help organize tax sites, while others only do publicity for the site. If you have a skill and would like to help, we can find a way to involve you in the program. A volunteer meeting will be held Dec. 20 at the Central PA Community Action office at 214 E. Cherry Street, Clearfield from 12 p.m. to 12:30 p.m.
If you or your organization wants to get involved and would like more information about the Clearfield County Money In Your Pocket Campaign, contact Tia Lansberry or Jennifer Sigvaldsen at Central Pennsylvania Community Action, 765-1551 or 800-822-2610.
