CAPCO has many programs for residents struggling in today's economy

It is hard to escape the news that our economy is in trouble. You can’t read the newspaper, flip through a magazine or watch more than a few minutes of television without seeing yet another reference to the economic challenges. Everyone is struggling to do more with less. Many people are facing the uncertainty of employment, health care, paying for utilities and keeping food on the table. Making the best use of our resources is important to everyone at this point. And, when the opportunity to find and use new resources presents itself, the community needs to know about it. The VITA program is just that kind of resource.

VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) offers free income tax preparation for people who are low/middle-income or seniors. In Cortland, Cornell Cooperative Extension Cortland County, CAPCO, Cortland Area Agency on Aging, RSVP, Cortland Works Career Center, JM Murray Center and the United Way have collaborated to provide the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program to residents of the County. Through our local VITA program, trained volunteer tax preparers will assist low income wage earners with the completion of their tax returns during the tax filing season. You are eligible for services through the VITA program if your income was less than $42,000 in 2008. This is a significant resource for eligible individuals who would otherwise have to use a large part of their refunds to pay the fees to have their taxes prepared. It also helps them avoid the high interest costs of unnecessary Refund Anticipation Loans. Because taxes are filled electronically, refunds are processed quickly and returns are available sooner.

In addition to having taxes prepared and filed at no cost, VITA also helps eligible households apply for and receive the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). The Earned Income Tax Credit is a federal refund available to individuals and families who are low-income. Serving as a work incentive, the federal EITC may provide up to $4,824 to a two-child household with income below $38,646.

If you meet the following criteria, you may also be eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). If you worked full or part time in 2008, and are between the ages of 25 and 65 and had income less than:

• $38,646 ($41,646 married filing jointly) with two or more qualifying children;

• $33,995 ($36,995 married filing jointly) with one qualifying child;

• $12,880 ($15,880 married filing jointly) with no qualifying children.

Depositing the EITC and tax return directly into a bank account puts the refund dollars into the hands of recipients quickly, without high fees or interest charges attached. In addition to having your income taxes prepared, there is information available at each VITA site regarding other community resources that may strengthen families. These include information and applications for Child and Family Health Plus, information regarding banking options, resources for weatherization, food and nutrition, HEAP and many others.

VITA sites opened on January 22. Through April 15, sites will be available throughout the County. There are weekend and evening opportunities for people that work. If you would like more information or would like to schedule an appointment to have your taxes prepared through the VITA program, please call 753-5077. Appointments are necessary.

Lindy Glennon is the Executive Director of Cortland County's Community Action Program, CAPCO.