Worcester Free Tax Service Coalition April Newsletter

WFTSC April 2018 Newsletter

Upcoming Events

United 4 Good

Between April 2 - April 30 the United Way of Central Massachusetts wants to see how YOU are doing good in the local community. Every day one picture will be chosen as a winner and the person who submitted the picture will be given the opportunity to donate $100 to the local non-profit of their choice. Click here for more information, terms and conditions

Volunteer Recognition Event

We invite all WFTSC volunteers to join us for our volunteer recognition event happening April 17, 2018 at 5:00 PM at Antonio's Pizza By The Slice. For details, please click here for the official invitation.

Bank On Worcester County

Have you heard about Bank On? Bank On is a national model program that has been successful in cities across the country and now it's in Worcester! Bank On will bring together participating nonprofits (including WFTSC sites) and participating credit unions or banks. Bank On Worcester County will offer checking accounts that meet the needs of low and moderate-income residents in Worcester County. Read more about Bank On here

IRS News and Updates

Time for a Paycheck Checkup

If you have a simpler tax situation – such as a one-job household with no dependents and you don’t itemize or claim adjustments or credits – you might not need to make changes to your withholding. If you have a more complicated situation you may need to revise your withholding. With the tax law changes, it’s important to use the IRS Withholding Calculator to check your withholding amount. You can use the results from the Withholding Calculator to determine if you should complete a new Form W-4 and, if so, what information to put on it. For details, visit www.irs.gov/withholding .

Volunteer Tax Return Progra ms Making a Big Impact

As we enter the beginning of April, tax returns prepared by Volunteers in the VITA and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs eclipsed 50,000 in Massachusetts. This total is 1.6% higher than this time last season. The 4 Worcester VITA sites have prepared 1,650 returns through April 2, a 5.4% increase!

Volunteer Spotlight

This month, Justin Stewart is our volunteer in the spotlight!

How did you get involved with WFTSC and what is your current role and site location? I became involved in WFTSC through my amazing accounting professor Deanna Foster at Clark University. I am a basic tax preparer and I work at the Main South CDC.

Why did you decide to become a volunteer tax preparer? Some people of lower incomes have a limited amount of financial literacy, which can lead to them being subjected to services that are too expensive or institutions that will try to take advantage of their lack of knowledge. So there was no hesitation when I was presented the opportunity to volunteer for WFTSC, which is a safe and trustworthy service that ensures people of lower income that their taxes will be done accurately and free of charge.

What are you studying at Clark University and what field or career path are you looking to enter after graduating from college? I am studying Economics and Management, and I am hoping to start a career in real estate, finance, or investment banking.

What is the best part about being a volunteer tax preparer ? Explaining to a client how much they will receive as a refund and watching their reaction. Typically it is an expression of happiness and relief.

Thank You to Our Sponsors and Partners

City Of Worcester- Community

Development Block Grant Program

Country Bank

IRS

MassCap

St. Mary's Credit Union

UniBank

Webster Five Cents Savings Bank

Assumption College

Main South CDC*

Plumley Village/The Community Builders*

Quinsigamond Community College

United Way of Central MA

UNUM

WCCA-TV 194

Worcester Chamber of Commerce

Worcester Community Action Council*

Worcester State University*