FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Brenda Brame (616) 752-8647 or
Tamber Moore (616) 234-4041

 

POSSIBLE $1.8 MILLION BACK TO TAXPAYERS
Kent County Tax Credit Coalition hopes to better last year’s total

January 27, 2005, Grand Rapids, MI - Thousands of Kent County residents will most likely try again this tax season to claim millions of dollars through a program called the Kent County Tax Credit Coalition (KCTCC). Last year, more than $1.7 million dollars was reinvested in to the Kent County economy and into taxpayers’ pockets. KCTCC plans to increase that amount this year by offering free on-line tax preparation services at 24 locations throughout Grand Rapids.

The program, which is in its third year, provides free online tax preparation service to eligible taxpayers. The KCTCC, which is convened by The Delta Strategy, is made up of 51 local organizations/businesses/financial institutions. Brenda Brame, the project coordinator and the Coalition have worked hard to increase the amount of sites that will be open for service this year beginning on February 1, 2005.

KCTCC volunteers will do more than just prepare free online taxes at 24 Kent County sites. Volunteer tax preparers will inform eligible taxpayers of their right to claim the Earned Income Tax Credit and other tax credits that could get them up to a $4,000 refund. Sadly, $4 million dollars went unclaimed two years ago. Many Kent County residents are eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit and MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT IT. We need to get the word out to all citizens with a household income of $35,000 or less before the end of the tax season. Four million dollars would be quite a shot in the arm to the local economy if Grand Rapids residents get all of the money that they deserve.

Last year our greatest success story was a woman, who was apprehensive about getting her taxes done because she thought she would owe money to the government. She walked in with four years of back taxes and walked out with a big surprise.

When asked of the most memorable moment of being a volunteer tax preparer, I think about the woman who came in with several years of back taxes. She was very hesitant to have her tax return done, fearing she would have to pay. Instead we could tell her that she would be getting a federal refund of $ 2600 for 2003. Several days later she was back telling us that in order to get that money she had to have her back taxes done as well. She brought everything for the years 2002, 2001, 2000 and 1999. Three of us started working on her tax returns, which needed to be done manually. Her eyes got bigger and bigger with every return when we told her what she would get back. I don’t remember the exact numbers per return but the total amount she got back was $12,000. When we were done, she was crying and gave us all hugs before she left.

Barbara Gering, Volunteer Tax Preparer, KCTCC

Media is encouraged to capture these stories as they are happening at the Volunteer Income Tax Sites. For more information on where to set up your live shots and/or to set up interviews with people receiving the tax credits, please contact Tamber Moore at 616.234.4041.

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