Catholic Charities of the East Bay FREE Tax Preparation Program
Catholic Charities of the East Bay is getting ready for Tax Season 2012!
For the last 7 years Catholic Charities of the East Bay has been a member of the Earn It! Keep It! Save It! Program led by United Way of the Bay Area. We are only one of more than 212 free tax sites in the Bay Area.
We have IRS trained and certified volunteer tax preparers that help individuals and families claim their maximum benefits and refunds.
As part of the Earn It! Keep It! Save It! Coalition we, at Catholic Charities provide low to moderate income families and individuals, earning less than $50,000 a year with free, quality tax return preparation. We link them with financial resources in the community. We also ensure eligible taxpayers claim the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) which can amount to as much as $5,751 per family.
During the 2011 tax season, Catholic Charities of the East Bay, along with our volunteers and staff, helped to prepare 614 tax returns and put more than $966,889 in total refunds BACK IN THE POCKETS of families and individuals in our community!
Last year, free tax sites in Alameda and Contra Costa prepared 28,239 tax returns and returned $30,375,929 in refunds to low-income working families, individuals and seniors.
There are hundreds of partner community organizations and other free tax preparation providers such as, Tax-Aid and AARP Tax-Aide to process 60,000 tax returns each year.
This year, the CCEB VITA Program will expand its services by adding self-preparation to our program. This gives taxpayers the opportunity to have hand-on experience and it empowers them to know that this process is something that they can do on their own!
PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR HOURS AND LOCATIONS
Go over our Checklist to see if you qualify to Do-It-Yourself
If you are a Contra Costa County Resident, please visit this link: www.icanefile.org?caller=2512
If you are an Alameda County Resident, please visit this link: www.icanefile.org?caller=2531
What do I bring to either get my taxes prepared or to prepare my own taxes?
- Social Security Card or ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) for each family member
- A voided check for Direct Deposit
- All W2s, 1099s and other income forms
- Last year’s tax return (if you have it)
- 2008 Economic Stimulus Payment Amount
- Childcare provider name, address, and tax ID number
- Picture ID
If you earned less than $49,078, you may be eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit. This tax credit can return up to $5,751 for the 2011 tax year!
How do I qualify for the EITC?
- Be a U.S. Citizen or Legal Permanent Resident
- Have a valid social security number
- Have earned income for 2011
- Earned less than $49,078
- Eligibility depends on marital status, household income & number of dependents.
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN BECOMING A TRAINED VOLUNTEER TAX PREPARER, VISIT OUR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM PAGE TO GET MORE INFORMATION
Call CCEB at 510.768.3139 510, or the following United Way volunteer coordinators for specific questions:
Alameda County - Vanessa Muniz 510.238.2424
Contra Costa County - Vanessa Muniz 510.238.2424
