January 26, 2012
United Way, Habitat for Humanity partner in free tax preparation event
By Robert Miller, The Dallas Morning News (source)
The United Way of Metropolitan Dallas is partnering with Habitat for Humanity to host the second annual Super Saturday tax-preparation event this Saturday.
It’s the kickoff for this year’s Earn It! Keep It! Save It! citywide free tax-preparation program, which is designed to put money back into the pockets of North Texas families.
Sponsored by Alliance Data and led by United Way Women of Tocqueville volunteers, Super Saturday will offer free tax services to low- and moderate-income families. It will also include family-friendly activities such as bounce houses, child literacy activities and free health screenings.
Internal Revenue Service–certified volunteers will work with individuals and families who earn less than $50,000 a year to prepare their taxes and answer tax-related questions, ensuring that clients receive the Earned Income Tax Credit when eligible.
“Financial education is a core strategy for achieving the United 2020 community goal of moving 250,000 people out of poverty permanently,” said Cecily Gooch, general counsel for TXU Energy and Women of Tocqueville Committee chair.
“This volunteer-driven tax help program teaches families how to take better control of their finances and is a perfect example of how United Way is helping people help themselves.”
Super Saturday will last from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Habitat for Humanity Dallas headquarters at 2800 N. Hampton Road. The Earn It! Keep It! Save It! program will offer free tax help through April 17 at a dozen locations throughout Dallas and in Lewisville, Grand Prairie, Irving and Mesquite — and many of them have evening and weekend hours.
For locations and other information, visit www.unitedwaydallas.org or call the Earn It! Keep It! Save It! help line at 214-978-0081. Both English- and Spanish-speaking volunteers will handle the phone calls.
Last year, more than 6,500 local families saved nearly $11 million through tax refunds and avoiding tax-preparation fees as a part of the Earn It! Keep It! Save It! program. Families who filed their taxes through the program received an average refund of approximately $1,700.
A new program this year is helping connect low-income individuals and families with resources for financial education and coaching — and also teaches them management skills to keep more of the money they earn.
“To break the cycle of poverty in North Texas, we must provide opportunities to empower economically disadvantaged families to take charge of their lives and their finances, leading them to self-sufficiency and ultimately financial stability and independence,” said Jennifer Sampson, United Way of Metropolitan Dallas president and CEO. “The Earned Income Tax Credit lifts more than 450,000 Texans — including 250,000 children — out of poverty each year.”
Earn It! Keep It! Save It! sponsors include Citi, Wells Fargo and Univision 23. Volunteers are needed to make the program a success, Gooch said. To learn more, visit www.unitedwaydallas.org or call the help line at 214-978-0081.