For Immediate Release

February 19, 2008

Contact:     Ellen Carter, Connecticut Association for Human Services, 860.951.2212

                  Heather Habelka, Office of the Mayor, 203.385.4001

Town of Stratford Announces Opening of Two Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Sites

Stratford, Conn. (February 19, 2008) – Mayor James R. Miron and the Greater Bridgeport Family Economic Security Coalition announced the opening of two free tax preparation sites in Stratford located at the South End Community Center and at Franklin School. Started five years ago in Stratford, VITA sites provide free tax preparation and financial education for low to moderate income families who may be eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).

In 2007, coalition VITA sites in Bridgeport and Stratford returned $6.35 million in tax credits and refunds to the community, and Stratford’s VITA site prepared over 300 returns.

The IRS estimates that VITA clients save over $160 for every tax return filed at a VITA site. Sites rely on IRS trained volunteers who prepare taxes and link filers to asset building services available in their community. In addition to receiving information on local homeownership and financial education programs, the coalition plans to provide free financial seminars for free tax participants during the tax season. VITA consumers will be invited to participate in themed dinners, which will cover a wide range of financial topics.

“The expansion of the Town’s VITA program will allow even more of Stratford’s families to benefit from free tax preparation and financial education,” said Mayor James R. Miron. “For many of our families, the average EITC is $4,500, and many families use this credit to pay off debt, purchase a car, open a savings or checking account, save for college tuition or qualify for mortgages as first time home buyers.”

The Coalition’s work is made possible through the generous support of the following funders: Bank of America, Citigroup, Fairfield County Community Foundation, The Inner-City Foundation For Charity & Education, JP Morgan Chase Foundation, Perrin Family Foundation, United Illuminating, and the United Way of Eastern Fairfield County.

Stratford residents can contact the South End Community Center to find out if they are eligible for the program by calling (203) 377-0689. Free tax preparation will be offered at the Community Center, which is located at 19 Bates Street and at Franklin School, located at 1895 Barnum Avenue. Hours of operation are: South End Community Center – Thursdays 5:30pm-8pm and Saturdays 9:30am-Noon; Franklin Elementary School – 4pm-8pm. Other information on the VITA program can be found by visiting www.cahs.org or by calling the state’s info line at 211. 

 

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