EITC could save you $1Ks

By G. Michael Dobbs

Managing Editor

CHICOPEE Mariann Gonzalez used to have her taxes done at a commercial preparation company and while she used their services, she never was made aware of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) that could save her money.

Gonzalez spoke at the kick-off press conference in Mayor Michael Bissonnette's office last week on EITC Awareness Day. As the residence service coordinator for the Chicopee Village development, she knows that many low-income people are attracted by the thought of walking out of a commercial tax-preparer's office with an automatic refund check. What those customers may not be understand is they could be entitled to more.

And Gonzalez has been spreading the word among the residences there about what they might be missing.

If a family with two children has an income of $37,783 or less (or if married, $39,783 or less), for instance, they could receive the new maximum credit of $4,716.

Bissonnette said there are a large number of city employees who could quality for this tax credit.

"It's like the lottery," he said, "you can't win if you don't play."

Because of its different requirements, help is needed to understand if a taxpayer qualifies. The Valley Opportunity Council is providing free tax preparation help through a number of sites in both Chicopee and Holyoke. Appointments are necessary at all of the sites.

They include:

Valley Opportunity Council, 300 High St., Holyoke. Open for appointments Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4 to 8 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Call 533-0214 for an appointment.

Valley Opportunity Council, 68 Eastern Dr., Chicopee. Open for appointments Mondays and Wednesdays from 4 to 8 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Call 533-0214 for an appointment.

Massachusetts Justice Project, 57 Suffolk St., Holyoke. Open for appointments Mondays and Wednesdays from 4 to 8 p.m., Fridays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call 533-2660 for an appointment.

People should come prepared with the following items:

Proof of identification

Social Security Cards (or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, ITIN) for you, your spouse and dependents and/or a Social Security Number verification letter issued by the Social Security Administration

Birth dates for you, your spouse and dependents on the tax return

Current year's tax package if you received one

Wage and earning statement(s) Form W-2, W-2G, 1099-R, from all employers

Interest and dividend statements from banks (Forms 1099)

A copy of last year's Federal and State returns if available

Bank routing numbers and account numbers for direct deposit

Total paid for day care provider and the day care provider's tax identifying number (the provider's Social Security Number or the provider's business Employer Identification Number)

Information for other income

Information for deductions and credits

To file taxes electronically on a married filing joint tax return, both spouses must be present to sign the required forms.