Kickoff of Greater Bridgeport Free Tax Preparation Program, Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Awareness
Program aims to help Bridgeport households struggling to make ends meet file State and Federal Taxes for free
WHAT: Kickoff of Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program; Earned Income Tax Credit Awareness Day
WHEN: Friday, February 4th at 11:00 a.m.
WHERE: Housatonic Community College, Beacon Hall, 3rd Fl. Bridgeport CT
Please note, to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 virus, this event is closed to the public but will be live-streamed here: https://bit.ly/VITA_2022.
WHO: Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim; John Merz, CEO, Connecticut Association for Human Services; Ron Peruzzi, Senior Tax Consultant, Internal Revenue Service; Maura Healy, Taxpayer Advocate; United Way of Coastal Fairfield County, VITA Agency Sites, VITA Volunteers, and Community Members
WHY IT’S IMPORTANT:
VITA provides free tax preparation help for filers with low to moderate incomes, elderly, persons with disabilities, limited English-speakers
IRS-trained VITA volunteers helped 3,345 hard-working Bridgeport families claim $5.6 MM in refunds and save $1MM in tax prep fees last year
EITC (Earned Income Tax credit) is regarded as the most-effective poverty-reduction program for working families; can help boost income, pay down debt, or save for the future. (2020 filers secured $1.5 MM in EITC tax credits.)
CONTACT: Takima Robinson
Director of Asset Building Programs, Connecticut Association for Human Services
860-951-2212, ext. 229, 203-804-6583 (cell), or trobinson@cahs.org
About the Connecticut Association for Human Services
The Connecticut Association for Human Services (CAHS), a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization, uniquely combines outreach into working poor communities at the neighborhood level with broad-based policy work at the state and federal level. Founded in 1910, CAHS is focused on helping families and children build the skills and assets they need for lasting economic success, strengthening Connecticut’s economy, and improving its workforce. In addition to advocacy and outreach, CAHS publishes consumer guides and policy briefs. In 2020, CAHS affiliated with Advancing Connecticut Together. For more about CAHS or the VITA Program, please visit: www.cahs.org/vita.html.