Healthcare Marketplace Enrollment Assistance

Wed, 01/27/2016 - 2:58pm by monkk

Thanks to the Washtenaw Health Initiative and the United Way of Wasthenaw County you can get help applying for 2016 health insurance on Saturday, January 30th from 9am to 3pm at the United Way of Washtenaw County office. No appointment is necessary and walk-ins are welcome. If you want to enroll in health insurance, you must bring the following with you:

* Social Security numbers (and immigration documents for legal immigrants) for everyone applying for coverage

* Employer and income information for every member of your household (for example, pay stubs or W2 forms)

* Policy information on health insurance if you or someone in your household have it from a job or another source

* Your best estimate of what your 2016 household income will be in 2016

Failure to get coverage may result in a 2016 tax penalty of $695 per person or 2.5% of your yearly income, whichever is higher. For additional information contact Krista Nordberg at 734-544-6778.

University of Michigan Housing Bureau for Seniors Tax Preparation Assistance

Wed, 01/13/2016 - 2:38pm by monkk

The University of Michigan Housing Bureau for Seniors is offering assistance with federal and state tax returns, back taxes, property tax concerns, and poverty exemption applications to lower property tax bills. There are no age limits for these services. Assistance will be available on Fridays from February 6 to April 8 and on Wednesdays February 10, March 9 & and March 30. There is limited walk-in availability, and appointments are preferred. To make an appointment, call Dare Adewole at 734-998-9341.

Want to Save Yourself Money This Tax Season?

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 3:58pm by monkk

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) is a nationwide program sponsored by the IRS that is available during tax season. Volunteers provide basic tax preparation assistance to individuals and families with a household income of approximately $53,000 a year or less. An alternative program helps you prepare your own taxes if your income is below $60,000 a year.

This service allows low-income families to file their taxes for free - without expensive tax prep services or predatory refund-anticipation loans. The United Way of Washtenaw County VITA program also helps you receive valuable tax credits or programs that you may be eligible for, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit and Home Heating Credit.

The VITA Program ensures that low-income individuals receive the maximum refund possible, to meet their own pressing basic needs or save for the future. In 2015, the United Way of Washtenaw County VITA Program returned approximately $375,000 to the community.

The United Way of Washtenaw County VITA Program offers a few services:

* Full-service tax preparation: Available by appointment only, February 4-April 6. Schedule your appointment now by calling 734-677-7235 or email vita@uwwashtenaw.org.

* Onsite or At-Home Self-Preparation: For taxpayers that do not qualify for full-service tax prep or those who prefer to do their own taxes with a "coach" available. Tax coach assistance is available over the phone or onsite if you have questions or need help. Free help is available from 1-855-698-9435. MyFreeTaxes.com is a free service for individuals with a combined income of $62,000 or less in 2015. Access from any computer with internet access and file your taxes for free.

* Scan & Go: For qualifying tax clients at select locations. Have your documents scanned and your tax return will be prepared off-site to be picked up by you in one or two weeks.

FREE Tax Preparation Assistance in Washtenaw County

Tue, 01/21/2014 - 1:24pm by monkk

The Washtenaw County Asset Coalition is offering both traditional VITA tax preparation services as well as access to tax preparation software for persons wanting to prepare their own taxes with access to a tax coach. The household income limit for free tax preparation is $52,000 this year, though they can offer free e-filing for self preparers with incomes under $58,000. Call (734) 677-7235 for an appointment. Appointments are held at the Washtenaw United Way on the following dates and times:

Wednesday, February 2: 5:30-8:30pm
Saturday, February 15: 10am-4pm
Wednesday, February 19: 5:30-8:30pm
Saturday, February 22: 10am-4pm
Wednesday, February 26: 5:30-8:30pm
Wednesday, March 26: 5:30-8:30pm
Saturday, March 29: 10am-4pm
Wednesday, April 2: 5:30-8:30pm
Saturday, April 5: 10am-4pm
Wednesday, April 9: 5:30-8:30pm

Free Tax Preparation Assistance in Washtenaw County

Sat, 02/23/2013 - 10:06am by monkk

This tax season AADL is serving as a site for the Washtenaw County Asset Building Coalition (WABC) to provide free tax preparation assistance to the low to moderate income-eligible residents of Washtenaw County. The Washtenaw County Asset Building Coalition is organized to help individuals increase and protect their financial assets and has trained volunteers who are ready to assist with tax returns. There are several dates to choose from, however scheduled appointments are required. You may schedule an appointment by calling the WABC directly at (734) 780-1891. Volunteers are available to assist in languages other than English, such has Farsi, Hindi, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Spanish, Ukranian, and Vietnamese. If you require assistance in one of these languages, let the WABC know when scheduling your appointment.

Click here for a list of what to bring to your appointment. Appointments will be held in the 3rd Floor Training Lab at the Downtown Library on the following dates:

Wednesday, February 6, 2013: 6:00pm - 8:30pm
Wednesday, February 13, 2013: 6:00pm - 8:30pm
Wednesday, February 20, 2013: 6:00pm - 8:30pm
Saturday, February 23, 2013: 10:00am - 4:00pm
Wednesday, March 27, 2013: 6:00pm - 8:30pm
Saturday, March 30, 2013: 10:00am - 4:00pm
Wednesday, April 3, 2013: 6:00pm - 8:30pm
Wednesday, April 10, 2013: 6:00pm - 8:30pm
Saturday, April 13, 2013: 10:00am - 4:00pm

Other sites throughout Washtenaw County offering tax assistance are listed here: 2013 Washtenaw County Tax Preparation Sites.

Did You know....?

Thu, 04/14/2011 - 5:44pm by Beth Manuel

...That hundreds of federal tax forms are available from IRS.gov for sight impaired people? One way to find the publications on the IRS site is by clicking on the word accessibility at the bottom of the IRS home page. If a physical disability prevents a taxpayer from completing their tax return, they may get assistance from an IRS office or through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA). Taxpayers can call 1-800-906-9887 for more information. Publication 907 explains the tax implications of certain disabilities and other issues.

Filing Date for Federal & State Tax Returns Extended to April 18th

Sat, 04/09/2011 - 11:54am by Debbie G.

Taxpayers will have until Monday, April 18 to file their 2010 Federal and State of Michigan tax returns and pay any tax due. Why? Because Emancipation Day, a holiday observed in the District of Columbia, falls this year on Friday, April 15. By law, District of Columbia holidays impact tax deadlines in the same way that federal holidays do; therefore, all taxpayers will have three extra days to file their tax returns this year. Taxpayers requesting an extension will have until Oct. 17 to file their 2010 tax returns

Tax Express Stations are Live

Tue, 01/11/2011 - 9:20am by Debbie G.

The Tax Express Stations are up and running at all AADL branches. The stations link you directly to the IRS and Michigan Treasury web sites where you'll find forms, instructions, publications and resources to assist you in filing your 2010 taxes. Tax forms can be printed free of charge from these station. We’ll be happy to assist you in locating and printing tax forms at all our public services desks too.

Income Tax Assistance Volunteer Opportunity!

Mon, 07/20/2009 - 3:13pm by monkk

Join us at the Mallett's Creek Branch on Monday, August 10 from 6 to 8 pm for an informational session for people interested in serving as a volunteer with VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program) during the winter/spring of 2010. Any adult looking for an opportunity to help people may be interested in this program- retirees, accountants, tax lawyers, church groups- and any other individuals. You do not have to have any background in doing taxes to assist- and there will be training scheduled in November for interested individuals. To RSVP for the session or for more information, call Terry Jones of the VITA program at 734-222-3943.