Free Help Available for Preparing & Filing Taxes

EIGHTY FOUR, February 19, 2009 – On February 26, State Sen. J. Barry Stout’s District Office in Eighty Four will host free tax preparation services for local residents who need help with both their federal and state Personal Income Tax returns, as well as Property Tax/Rent Rebate forms. Stout cautioned, “For those individuals who have been used to filing their state taxes or rebates at a legislative office,  there are only 3 dates that Representatives  Daley  and Solobay and I have been allocated this year.  Cutbacks at the PA Department of Revenue have limited their outreach abilities into areas such as Washington and Greene Counties.”

“Filing taxes can be frustrating and confusing, that is why I am hosting free tax preparation services,” Stout (D-Allegheny/Beaver/Greene/Washington/ Westmoreland) said.  “It is important for resources to be available for people so they can get their taxes done and done correctly.” Remember, if you have $33.00 in taxable income, you must file a state tax return.  This differs from the IRS guidelines.

Representatives from the state Department of Revenue and the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program from Community Action Southwest will be on hand on to help prepare and file state taxes, federal taxes and property tax/rent rebate forms.  Help will be available on Thursday, February 26, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Stout’s main District Office located at 1024 Route 519, Suite 400, Eighty Four.

Constituents are welcome to call the office at 724-225-5400 with questions.
VITA volunteers will also be able to help individuals claim their earned income tax credit (EITC).  You must still file a state tax form even if you qualify for the EITC.

• If you had no children living with you in 2008 and earned less than $12,880* and were at least 25 years old but under 65 at the end of the year, you can get up to $438.

• If you lived with one child in 2008 and your family earned less than $33,995*, you can get up to $2,917.

• If you lived with two or more children in 2008 and your family earned less than $38,646*, you can get up to $4,824.

*The income limit for a married couple is $2,000 higher than this amount.

Only PA Personal Income Tax and PA Property Tax/Rent Rebates will be completed at the following offices:

Rep. Peter Daley (D-Fayette/Washington) will host free tax preparation services at this district office located at, 657 McKean Avenue, Donora.  Help will be available from 9 a.m.  - 3 p.m on Wednesday, March 4th. Telephone number (724) 379-5540.

Stout added that on Friday, March 6th, Rep. Tim Solobay (D-Washington) will host free tax preparation services at his Washington Office from 9 a.m. -4 p.m.  His office is located at, George Washington Hotel, 60 South Main Street, Washington. Telephone number (724) 223-2114

If you need tax help but can’t make any of the following events please find the closest VITA site by calling 1-800-906-9887, AARP site by going to, https://locator.aarp.org/vmis/sites/tax_aide_locator.jsp or senior center.

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