Volunteers sought for tax workshop training
BROWNSVILLE – Volunteers interested in being trained to help others prepare their taxes are being sought in the Brownsville area. A free workshop will be held on Tuesday at California University of Pennsylvania to teach volunteers how to help low to moderate income residents prepare their taxes to take advantage of the Earned Income Tax Credits. Brownsville Mayor Norma Ryan said anyone interested in participating in the training program must first register through her office at 724-785-3363 or by e-mailing her at begin brownsvillemayor@excite.com brownsvillemayor@excite.com end
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Ryan said once the volunteers are trained, they will be helping Brownsville area residents prepare their taxes at the Flatiron Building Heritage Center or at the Brownsville Free Public Library.
“They will be volunteering their time by appointment only,” Ryan said.
Ryan said there is no minimum commitment for the volunteers and the appointments will be made at their convenience.
Peggy Leard, an Internal Revenue Service tax specialist from the Pittsburgh IRS office, will be conducting the free training program at the Eberly Science Building at California University of Pennsylvania. Volunteers should have some prior experience with computers, since the training will be done on computers. The seminar will run from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. Participants are responsible for their own lunch.
As many as 12 volunteers can be trained during the seminar. There are still spaces available, Ryan said.
According to the IRS, as much as $300,000 in Earned Income Tax Credits went unclaimed in the Brownsville area in 2000, with about 25 percent of those eligible for the credit failing to apply for it.
The Earned Income Tax Credit is a benefit generally available to working parents with an income of less than $34,178. It is also available to individuals without children with an income of less than $11,060 for a single person or $12,060 for a married couple.
To claim the Earned Income Tax Credit, a federal income tax form must be filed. The individual or couple applying for the credit must have earnings from wages or self-employment and must provide a valid Social Security number for themselves and their children.
Those eligible can receive a refund check even if they had no income tax withheld from their pay. It is a payment from the government, not a refund of taxes paid.
Child Tax Credits are also available, providing a credit of up to $600 per child under the age of 17.