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WITH $25 MILLION IN UNCLAIMED TAX REFUNDS, UNITED WAY EXPANDS EFFORT TO BRING MONEY TO NASHVILLE FAM
January 30, 2012Congressman Cooper and IRS officials join United Way to open free tax prep sites.
NASHVILLE, Tenn., Jan. 27, 2012 – With estimates of more than $25 million in Earned Income Tax Credits (EITC) unclaimed by Nashvillians each year, United Way of Metropolitan Nashville today launched an expanded program that offers free tax assistance to working individuals and families so they can keep as much of their hard-earned income as possible.
United Way officially opened 19 Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites across the city – almost double the number of sites from last year. United Way, Rep. Jim Cooper and IRS officials kicked-off the program by touring the newest center, located at the Dream Centers of Tennessee, Inc., in the Hickory Hollow Mall. To bolster the effort, United Way has recruited 350 volunteers, compared with 194 last year, to staff the community’s VITA program during the upcoming 2012 tax season.
Nineteen free tax assistance sites – up from 11 in 2011 – are now available through April across the community. To find a VITA site or to get tax help – including locations and center hours – call United Way’s 2-1-1 Helpline. (Please see attached list of locations.)
“In the midst of a challenging economy, our goal is to significantly expand the VITA program to help those most in need across our city,” said Margaret Dolan, Vice President, Community Relations, Ingram Industries Inc., and Board Chair of United Way of Metropolitan Nashville. “We are proud to join Congressman Cooper, the IRS and the Nashville Alliance for Financial Independence (NAFI) to help working families move closer to financial stability. The impact of these sites grows each year, and capturing every refund earned by taxpayers is more important than ever.”
Not only will the free tax assistance help taxpayers save hundreds of dollars in tax preparation fees and “rapid refund” loans, it will also provide an opportunity for them to find out if they qualify for the EITC.
The IRS estimates each year approximately 20 percent of those eligible for the EITC do not claim the credit, or even know it exists. United Way estimates this amounts to slightly more than $25 million left unclaimed in Davidson County.
Rep. Cooper applauded United Way on the expansion of the program to help working Nashvillians and the local community. “Thousands of local families don’t know that the government owes them money,” said Rep. Cooper. “I’m thankful that more than 350 dedicated volunteers at United Way’s VITA sites are helping people in Davidson County file their taxes.”
“Four of five eligible people claim and get their EITC,” said IRS spokesman Dan Boone. “We want to raise that number to five out of five. We appreciate the work of our partners and volunteers toward making that a reality.”
Recent Annual VITA Results
• 7,534 total returns filed through United Way VITA sites.
• Accessed more than $14 million in total refunds for Davidson County families.
Day-to-day management of the sites is provided by a number of different United Way partner organizations, including churches, businesses, schools, non-profits and government. Services at the sites are provided by 350 IRS-trained and certified volunteers.
How VITA/EITC helps filers get ahead
Research shows that many families receiving the Earned Income Tax Credit use it to pay for basic necessities like housing, utilities and food. The research also suggests some families use their refund to make purchases or investments that can help them maintain their jobs and their homes or to improve their chances for employment. For example, a significant share of families use part of their EITC to educate and care for their children, assist with rent and/or mortgage payment, apply toward medical bills or auto repairs and contribute to savings. For many families and individuals it may be the only time all year they have the funds to start a savings account and can begin building assets.
How to find a VITA site
To find a free tax prep site, filers should call the United Way 2-1-1 Helpline. Callers will be connected to a referral specialist who can provide addresses and hours for sites most convenient to them, as well as detailed information about necessary documentation needed to file.
VITA Facts
• More people could qualify for EITC and free tax preparation than ever before; IRS has set the eligibility threshold for EITC to $49,000 or less.
• 19 VITA sites are available across Davidson County including public, employer-based and mobile sites.
• Free, do-it-yourself at home, online filing is available for eligible filers with incomes of $57,000 or less at http://www.myfreetaxes.com/nashville.
• Cash coaches help educate filers about additional financial resources.
• Some locations offer “Second Chance” bank accounts – to qualified filers so they can avoid check cashing and money order fees.
• Refunds are available as early as 7-10 days when directly deposited to a bank account.
• Since the launch of the initiative in 2004, United Way has given nearly 40,000 individuals and families $58 million in tax refunds and EITC through VITA.
About United Way of Metropolitan Nashville
United Way of Metropolitan Nashville seeks to impact the education, financial stability and health of Nashvillians through partnerships, innovation and return on investment. Last year the organization produced a direct and identifiable impact of $50 million through its 2-1-1 Helpline, Family Resource Centers, Read to Succeed Program, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program, Restore The Dream Partnership and Outcome-Based Investments. For more information about how United Way of Metropolitan Nashville is positively impacting the Nashville community, visit: http://www.unitedwaynashville.org.
About Nashville Alliance for Financial Independence
Nashville Alliance for Financial Independence (NAFI) is an initiative of United Way of Metropolitan Nashville that helps working individuals and families build assets that will lead to long-lasting financial independence.
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United Way Traditional VITA Sites:
Conexión Américas (SPANISH)
800 18th Ave. S., Suite A
Nashville, TN 37203
Our Lady of Guadalupe Church (SPANISH)
Catholic Charities
3112 Nolensville Rd.
Nashville, TN 37211
John Henry Hale Homes
Community Career Center/MNPS
1433 Jo Johnston Ave.
Nashville, TN 37203
Sam Levy Homes
303 Foster St.
Nashville, TN 37207
South Nashville Woodbine
Community Organization
222 Oriel Ave.
Nashville, TN 37210
Westwood Baptist Church
2510 Albion St.
Nashville, TN 37208
Tyson Foods, Inc.
(Employees only)
201 Cartwright St.
Goodlettsville, TN 37072
T.S.U. – Avon Williams
Downtown Campus
330 10th Ave. N.
Nashville, TN 37203
*Cole Elementary
United Way Family Resource Center
(SPANISH AND ENGLISH)
5060 Colemont Dr.
Antioch, TN 37013
*Church of the Messiah
88 Lafayette St.
Nashville, TN 37210
*Temple Church - Bordeaux
3810 Kings Ln.
Nashville, TN 37218
*LEAD Academy
United Way Family Resource Center
1015 Davidson Rd.
Nashville, TN 37205
Beehive Sites:
New Level
Community Development Corporation
1112 Jefferson St.
Nashville, TN 37208
*Napier Elementary
United Way Family Resource Center
60 Fairfield Ave.
Nashville, TN 37210
Hybrid Sites:
St. Luke’s Community House
5601 New York Ave.
Nashville, TN 37209
*Hickory Hollow Mall
Dream Centers of Tennessee
5252 Hickory Hollow Pkwy.
Antioch, TN 37013
*Vanderbilt University
Sarratt Student Center
2301 Vanderbilt Pl.
Nashville, TN 37240
2 mobile sites will rove throughout Davidson County.
*New Sites
