February 16, 2005
For Immediate Release
Contact: Sue Baker, 738-2000
Jeanne Gattegno, 732-4666
Avedisian, West Bay Community Action Promotes
Earned Income Tax Credit benefits
WARWICK – Mayor Scott Avedisian and Jeanne Gattegno, executive director of West Bay Community Action, today held a press conference in an effort to promote the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) program to Warwick residents, and to announce West Bay’s free tax preparation service.
Although EITC, enacted by Congress in 1975, is the federal government’s largest anti-poverty program, approximately $27 million in benefits were left unclaimed by qualified Rhode Islanders following the 2002 tax season. In Warwick alone, it is estimated that nearly $1.4 million in EITC funds were not claimed.
In order to educate qualified residents about EITC, and to encourage them to apply for the benefits, last week, West Bay began offering free tax preparation services to Warwick residents who use the EZ1040 form, Gattegno said. As of yesterday, 26 appointments had been scheduled and 15 people had already had their taxes prepared. Interested residents may call 732-4660, and an operator will schedule an appointment for them, Gattegno said. Appointments are available Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. now through April 15. The services will be offered in West Bay’s administrative offices, at 205 Buttonwoods Avenue.
In conjunction with West Bay’s program, the City of Warwick will make informational flyers available at the Warwick Public Library on Sandy Lane; at the Buttonwoods Community Resource Center on West Shore Road; at the Pilgrim Senior Center on Pilgrim Parkway; and in City Hall and the City Hall Annex in Apponaug. Information will also be available on the city’s website, Avedisian said.
“Education of this program will be an important component in helping qualified Warwick families receive the benefits to which they are entitled,” Avedisian said. “A family may qualify for up to $4,300 – funds that would be vitally important in helping them to improve their quality of life.”
Avedisian also strongly encouraged residents to take advantage of West Bay’s services and to exercise patience when it comes to receiving their tax returns. “ Ideally, we will see as many people as possible using the West Bay tax preparation services instead of applying for Refund Anticipation Loans,” he said. “With these loans, residents may receive their money in the same week they file their returns, but then they are required to pay 25 percent of their refund to the company preparing their taxes. Residents who use West Bay ’s services will receive 100 percent of their refunds.”
Gattegno said West Bay is “really excited about doing this. We truly want to assist people in their efforts to gain financial independence, and this is one way of helping them to do that. This is a program that is good for the community, for local businesses and for the people.”
According to the Internal Revenue Service, the amount of income one can earn and still get the credit increased in 2004. Individuals may qualify if: