Free Tax Preparation Available at Fair This Week at VCU

Local Organizations Offer Variety of Free Financial Counseling Services and Information

Share this story

RICHMOND, Va. (March 3, 2010) – United Way and Virginia Commonwealth University, in partnership with the Greater Richmond Earned Income Tax Credit Coalition, are holding an Earned Income Tax Credit and Assets Fair at the VCU School of Business on Saturday.

The event is scheduled to run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the atrium of Snead Hall, 301 W. Main St. VCU partners in the event include the Schools of Business, Mass Communications and Social Work.

Trained volunteers will be at the fair to assist qualifying individuals – those with an income of $49,000 or lower – in filing their taxes for free. Participation in free tax preparation is limited to the first 50 individuals to sign up. Information and registration are available by calling 211 or (804) 771-5853, the Virginia information line.

The preparers will ensure that participants utilize applicable tax credits, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (a qualified individual with three children could receive a refund up to $5,000). Spanish translators and child watch are available for those receiving tax prep help. Tax preparers include volunteers from the community, many of whom have been involved with the Greater Richmond Earned Income Tax Credit Coalition for several years; VCU students taking a service-learning class focused on providing volunteer tax preparation; and VCU students who are members of Beta Alpha Psi, the accounting honors organization.

In addition to tax preparation, 18 local organizations will attend the fair to assist individuals and families with a variety of services, including credit and housing counseling, individual development accounts information, financial literacy, legal and banking services, workforce development, benefits and resources for seniors. The asset portion of the fair is open to the public with no registration.

For more information about the Greater Richmond Earned Income Tax Credit Coalition and other events at which individuals can receive free tax preparation services, visit http://www.yourunitedway.org/index.php?pr=Tax_Help.