Coalition scores $2.7 million in tax refunds for local residents

LANSING, MI - This past tax season, the Asset Independence Coalition's (AIC) Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program provided free income tax return preparation to over 2,000 families throughout Ingham, Clinton and Eaton counties - a 34 percent increase over last year. VITA, a program funded by donations and sponsored by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), reaches out to limited-income taxpayers. Tax preparation services were provided at over twenty VITA locations in the tri-county area. Tax Returns were completed by 162 IRS trained and certified volunteers. The program places specific emphasis on accessing refundable tax credits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) - a tax credit for low and moderate income working families. ''The VITA program helps local individuals and families improve their financial stability. Not only does the program provide a cost savings by offering the service free, we train our volunteers to find the maximum tax credits available to increase the refund amount,'' said Eric Schertzing, Ingham County Treasurer. "This year, the VITA program is responsible for over $2.7 million in total refunds coming back to the Tri-County area - an average of $1,371 per household assisted. This is great news for local businesses, where those additional dollars are generally spent," Schertzing said. Schertzing co-chairs the AIC with Antonia Kraus, Treasurer for the City of Lansing. "We strive to educate residents about financial matters," Kraus stated. "Tax time is an excellent opportunity to educate families about predatory practices, and to offer financial education and asset building opportunities such as free classes in budgeting, investing, and credit." AIC is recruiting volunteers for next tax season. Visit www.assetindependencecoalition.org for more information or call 517.256.1466. Published: Mon, May 16, 2011

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