Last Chance: Free Tax Preparation

Courtesy of Casey Paul, Rappahannock United Way

Janine Prevaux works at Rappahannock Goodwill Industries. She and her roommate Cathy work side-by-side as they assemble baseball cards and various other donated items from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday each week. Janine is a participant in the Rappahannock Area Community Services Board’s Supervised Apartment Program. While Janine and the other individuals in the program have intellectual disabilities, they are active members of our community. Not only does Janine work and live largely on her own—she also has to pay taxes.

Tracy Smith, the program’s supervisor of seven years, worked with Tax Site Coordinators Jim Foster and Jeffery Keys from Rappahannock United Way’s free tax preparation program to host a tax site at the program office, located within one of the program participant’s apartments. Thirteen program participants, including Janine, had their taxes prepared for free, joining the 750-plus people in the community who have had their taxes prepared by this volunteer-led program.

“Every little bit helps, especially with these folks,” shares Smith, adding, with a knowing smile to Janine, “And it gives you some more spending money on weekends.”

Not only can the money Janine receives back from her tax return go toward a trip to the bowling alley—her favorite activity—but it can also help support her as a participant of the Rappahannock Area Community Services Board program to create more opportunities for Janine and the others in her program.

Rappahannock United Way will continue to offer free tax preparation through April 17 at various locations in the Greater Fredericksburg Region. Be sure to mark your calendars for a tax event featuring free financial advising and credit report pulling and counseling on Saturday, April 7 at the Central Rappahannock Regional Library from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m..

Volunteer Tax Sites are part of the largest anti-poverty program in our nation, bringing an estimated $1 billion into the homes of low-to-moderate-income working families. Locally, the Rappahannock Region Financial Stability Coalition tackles financial stability, led by Rappahannock United Way (RUW). Rappahannock United Way organizes and trains volunteers to prepare taxes for free to community members who make $50,000 a year or less. All services are provided by volunteers under the guidance of IRS-certified staff and volunteers.

Tax preparation takes place now through Tuesday, April 17. See below for a listing of weekly dates and times. For a more complete listing, visit the website.

Mondays: Central Rappahannock Regional Library ,England Run Branch,
5pm-8pm, 806 Lyons Boulevard, Fredericksburg,

Tuesdays: Central Rappahannock Regional Library , Main Branch, 5pm-8pm, 1201 Caroline Street, Fredericksburg

Wednesdays: Rappahannock United Way, 1pm-5pm, 3310 Shannon Park Drive, Fredericksburg. Central Rappahannock Regional Library, Porter Branch,
5pm-8pm, 2001 Parkway Boulevard, Stafford

Saturdays: Rappahannock United Way, 9am-5pm, 3310 Shannon Park Drive, Fredericksburg

Taxpayers must bring necessary documentation to receive assistance filing taxes:

• Driver’s License or Photo Identification Card

• Social Security card or Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN) for taxpayer and all
dependents

• Copies of all W2, 1098, 1099 forms

• Amounts of any other income

• Childcare provider's name, address, and tax identification number

• Amounts and dates of any estimated or other tax payments made.

• Notice CP1378 or the amount of Economic Stimulus Payment received

• Spouse in person, if filing jointly

• Proof of account for direct deposit of refund (voided check)

For more information, visit www.rappahannockunitedway.org/taxservices.html or call Rappahannock United Way at (540) 373-0041.