Earned Income Tax Awareness Day

When times get tough in low-income households, the food budget is usually the first thing families cut. We can’t end hunger as long as people lack the financial resources they need to put food on the table.

A series of tax cuts will expire at the end of 2012, including two provisions that are critical for low-income working families: the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Child Tax Credit (CTC). These tax credits boost household earnings and lift millions of people out of poverty each year.

Additional information about EITC and the Child Tax Credit are in the full article at:

www.bread.org/ol/2012/tax-credits/

Michigan Department of Education Looking for Partners for Summer Feeding Program

Education leaders in Michigan are looking for help keeping kids healthy even when school is not in session.

More than a half million kids in Michigan are eligible for summer food assistance, but only about 15 percent of them do (participate).

Now, the Michigan Department of Education is looking for organizations to help change that.  “We know it works, we know healthy kids are healthy learners and the results are better results educationally,” said Martin Ackley, Michigan Department of Education.

The Department of Education says a recent report found that more than half of kids in Michigan are living in poverty. Now the department is asking for churches, summer camps and other organizations to volunteer to be sponsors and act as sites for the summer lunch program.

Sponsors receive federal compensation for both the meals and administrative costs.

www.wwmt.com/articles/leaders-1401004-look-education.html

Michigan Department of Treasury Now Accepting Home Heating Credit Tax Forms

The Michigan Department of Treasury has begun processing home heating credits for low-income residents.

Residents can apply for the credits for 2011 heating payments on their state income tax return or by filing a Michigan Home Heating Assistance Claim if they don't file a return. Links to both are on the state's heating assistance and income tax websites.

Forms are available at many libraries and post offices in Northern Michigan and at Department of Human Services branch offices around the state. Residents also may get forms and assistance by calling 517-636-4486.

NOTE:

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and AARP Volunteer sites throughout the state can assist low income and senior citizen clients with IRS certified volunteers for no cost.   Direct deposit refunds can be obtained in as few as 8-10 days.

www.wwmt.com/news/heating-1400923-home-residents.html


The list of VITA sites throughout Michigan can be found at:

www.michiganeic.org/freetaxprep