We will kickoff the start of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) for the 2017 tax preparation season.
When: Friday, January 26, at 10:30 a.m.
Where: Greater Lawrence Community Action Council (GLCAC), 305 Essex Street, Lawrence, MA 01840
Program will include local and state elected and appointed officials. We will hear from those providing services as well those receiving services.
MASSCAP, a member of the Healthy Families EITC Coalition, supports free tax preparation for low-income taxpayers at VITA sites run by Community Action Agencies and other organizations across Massachusetts. Community Action Agencies make up close to half of the 80 Massachusetts VITA sites.
At VITA sites, volunteers not only provide free tax prep and access to the Earned Income Tax Credit and other tax credits to low-income taxpayers allowing them to pay bills, cover essential needs such as rent, save, and plan for the future, but also link them to other critical services strengthening families and the local economy.
The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is known to be the largest anti-poverty program in the country. The EITC, along with other tax credits, has been shown to improve infant health outcomes, employment rates of single mothers, child educational achievement, and future earnings.