Time is running out for low and moderate-income workers to get free assistance in preparing their income tax returns at VITA centers.
ACORN has partnered with the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program to operate 105 centers nationwide.
The free service helps taxpayers who cannot afford to get their returns prepared by professional tax accountants. ACORN members also go-door-to- door, letting neighbors know about the service.
ACORN wants eligible families to claim their Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), which can amount to $4,400 each tax year. EITC is a federal anti-poverty program to help working families.
Between 15 and 25 percent of all EITC-eligible families do not claim their credits, amounting to $12 billion in unclaimed benefits annually.
Last year, ACORN helped its tax center clients claim more than $17 million in EITC tax credits, as well as $36 million in total refunds.
April 17 is around the corner.