Story URL: http://news.medill.northwestern.edu/chicago/news.aspx?id=175996
Story Retrieval Date: 5/23/2013 12:08:34 AM CST
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Auburn-Gresham helps low-income families file tax returns
by Liz Kobak
Jan 12, 2011
Information from the Center for Economic Progress
The center recommends you bring with you:1. W-2s and 1099s
2. Social Security/Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers
3. Valid Photo identification
4. Copy of last year's tax return (if possible)
5. Bank account number and routing number
6. Property tax bill
7. College expense records
Doors open at St. Sabina Employment Center, 7909 S. Racine Ave., Saturday, Jan. 22, at 10 a.m.
Sessions will also be held Mondays and Thursdays from 5:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m.
The Center for Economic Progress, a non-profit group that provides money to nine neighborhood organizations throughout the state, will begin offering such help Saturday, Jan. 22 through April 18.
For residents of the 17th Ward, that help will be offered through the Greater Auburn-Gresham Development Corporation at the St. Sabina Employment Resource Center.
The Center for Economic Progress, a non-profit organization, will host free online tax redemption services specifically to resident families earning less than $50,000 and to individuals earning at least half of that.
The center’s development director Ann Connors said the group helped approximately 30,000 low-income families in Illinois receive more than $54 million in tax refunds last year, and saved residents more than $6 million in tax preparation fees.
The center funds neighborhood organizations, like the development corporation, whose primary goal is simple: “We don’t want them [taxpayers] to get caught up in loans again,” said Ernie Sanders, key program developer and representative of the corporation. “It’s done online, so you get your money back quickly.”
Participants usually receive their money from the government 10 to 14 days after filing their tax returns electronically, Sanders said.
Since many residents do not have regular access to a computer and are not electronically savvy, the corporation provides a valuable service, said Jimmy Prude, head of the corporation’s technology department.
The service is offered on a first come, first served basis. While the center recruited about 1,200 volunteers last year throughout Illinois to help file tax returns, there were only a couple last year in Auburn Gresham. Thus, getting help can become quite competitive, Sanders said.
Raissa Allaire, vice president of marketing and development at the center, praised the Auburn Gresham group for their efforts. "They're a pleasure to work with. They've been instrumental in helping us recruit volunteers," she said.
Last year, community members were camping outside of the 79th Street and Racine Avenue intake center well before doors opened in hope of a guaranteed spot in the program.
And it’s more likely than not many people who participated in the program last year will return this year. “They definitely come back every year because it’s an impeccable service for free,” Sanders said. “It’s a really important economic development opportunity.”
By getting refunds quickly, residents will spend the money they receive in the community, helping the local economy. “We’re keeping every penny in the community,” Sanders said.
