Friday, February 21, 2003

Tax help for low-income families

Low-income working families in South Fulton District 7 can have their 2002 taxes prepared free and apply for a federal tax credit refund at the Red Oak Neighborhood Network Center (RONNC), 4800 Campbell Drive, College Park.

The service is sponsored by the Housing Authority of Fulton County (HAFC) and Community Opportunity Centers, Inc., to help recipients reap the benefits of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) rather than risk losing it through the hidden costs of "rapid refund" tax preparers.

The RONNC is one of several sites hosted around the County by a partnership of agencies concerned about making families aware of the EITC.

HAFC staff and New Life AME Zion Church volunteers will prepare taxes at theRONNC 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Tuesdays through Thursdays. King and Spalding tax attorneys will perform the free service there 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on two Saturdays: March 8 and April 12.

Taxes will be prepared on the 1040A Short Form only. Persons should bring social security cards for the wage earner and all dependents, W-2 Form wage and earnings statements, a copy of last year's return and any tax-related documents, and the tax ID number for any daycare providers used.

The EITC supplements wages and makes work more attractive than welfare. Working parents who earn less than $34,178 could receive a maximum credit of $4,140. However, many eligible persons, who live where "fast cash" preparers are clustered, either don't know to claim the credit when filing taxes, or they see it disappear in fees for instant refunds, which are really loans.

For more about free tax preparation at the Red Oak Center, call 404-305-2462.