Eligible taxpayers can receive free help preparing their 2012 income tax return at sites hosted by MetroCASH and Henrico County.
Trained volunteers will help qualifying taxpayers prepare and electronically file returns at 14 sites throughout the metropolitan area, including two in Henrico:
- Fairfield Area Library, 1001 N. Laburnum Ave., from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays, Feb. 2 through March 9; and
- Dumbarton Area Library; 6800 Staples Mill Road, from 4 to 8 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays, Feb. 6 through April 11.
MetroCASH helps families maximize their tax refunds by determining if they qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). The EITC is a refundable credit designed to help families and individuals who work and earn modest incomes. To qualify, a family with three or more children must have earned less than $50,270, and an individual with no children must have earned less than $19,190. The credit could increase a federal refund by as much as $5,891 for families with three or more children and $475 for individuals.
MetroCASH also offers eligible taxpayers a free alternative to commercial tax-preparation services. Last year, volunteers helped area residents file 2,133 tax returns, generating $859,804 in EITC funds and a total of $2.4 million in federal refunds. The free service saved clients an estimated $426,000 in tax preparation fees.
For information, go to www.MetroCash.org or call 211.
