United Way and Partners Can Help at Free Tax Prep Sites
At free, IRS-qualified tax sites throughout the Morris County region, United Way of Northern New Jersey and its partners are available ready to help eligible residents navigate new state tax credits.
The new credits are intended to help working families who are paying for child care or adult dependent care, unpaid family caregivers looking after a disabled military service member, and those who are working but struggling to make ends meet.
“Child care is often the most expensive line item in the family budget, but it’s something working parents can’t do without,” said United Way Chief Operating Officer Kiran Handa Gaudioso. “Thanks to the new child care credit, working families can receive some much-needed relief.”
United Way has teamed up with NORWESCAP RSVP, Greater Providence Missionary Baptist Church, Partners for Health Foundation, Single Stop and the IRS to offer a free tax preparation program. IRS-certified volunteers can help ensure that local individuals and families who are ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) or in poverty, receive all available tax credits.
The following are new credits for tax year 2018:
The Child and Dependent Care Credit assists working families with costs associated with the care of a child or dependent adult. While the credit reduces the amount of New Jersey gross income tax owed, it doesn’t result in a refund if no taxes are due.
The Wounded Warrior Caregivers Relief Act offers an income tax credit to qualifying family caregivers who take care of a military service member with a disability connected to service in any war or conflict on or after September 11, 2001. The credit is equal to 100 percent of the federal veteran disability compensation or $675, whichever is less.A New Jersey Earned Income Tax Credit increase will see qualified taxpayers benefit from the state’s match of the federal credit. The state match increased from 35 to 37 percent this year.
In addition to helping residents benefit from eligible tax credits, this program also can help them save residents on the costs of have tax-returns prepared by private companies or accountants.
To make an appointment at a free tax site in Morris or neighboring counties, call 973.993.1160, ext. 5. Make online appointments for some at www.UnitedWayNNJ.org/FreeTaxPrep. Households earning less than $66,000 also have the option to file their taxes for free online using MyFreeTaxes.com.
These free services are available only to low- and moderate-income families and individuals. They are not available to business owners or landlords.
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