CASSOPOLIS – The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) provides immediate assistance to low-income working families.

In this time of extremely tight budgets, receiving this credit may help families avoid homelessness.

Kimberly Lee Brown is an Americorps VISTA worker in her second term with Southwest Community Action Agency.

Kim intends to move her family out of poverty within the next three years, and she wants to take others with her.

“My goal is to reach 200 families this tax season. You wouldn’t believe how thankful people are just to get that money back they have waited all year for. When we tell them it won’t cost them one dime, some of them actually get tears in their eyes.”

In order for Kim to reach her goal, she needs to recruit five or more volunteer tax preparers.

Anyone who is willing to take a test and be certified by the IRS can become a volunteer.
EITC depends on volunteers.

The greatest need is for tax preparers.

These volunteers have to pass a basic test which certifies them to prepare taxes on behalf of the IRS.

The Earned Income Tax Coalition project is supervised by Southwest Community Action Agency and sponsored by the Human Service Coordination Council.

For more information, visit www.irs.gov , www.smcaa.com, www.uwsm.org and/or www.Casshscc.wordpress.com.

Free training will be provided in person by Cynthia Ash on the following dates: Jan. 9, 16, 23 and 30 at Cass District Library.

Volunteers may also complete the training and testing online at http://www.irs.gov/app/vita/index.html.

For more information, contact Kim Brown at (269) 849-5387.

Tax preparation dates are: Feb. 4, 6, 9, 11, 13, 16, 18, 20, 23, 25 and 27, March 4, 6, 11, 18, 20 and 25 and April 1, 3, 8 and 15.