Amid financial problems for thousands of Central Florida households, the Heart of Florida United Way advises delaying tax filing until February. Tien Holmes, financial stability programs manager at Heart of Florida United Way, advises waiting to enhance refunds and protect against unscrupulous techniques.
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United Way Urges Caution in Tax Preparation
Holmes warned against hurrying tax preparations and some preparers’ pressure techniques that prioritize volume and profits over clients’ best interests.
United Way promotes tax return maximization, particularly the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), which 20% of eligible taxpayers fail to claim, which could boost refunds for low-income households.
Holmes encouraged low-income taxpayers to use 15 free tax preparation websites from February 2 to April 15. IRS-certified volunteers run these locations, which offer free tax filing for those earning less than $73,000.
READ ALSO:Â Wait until February to file your taxes to maximize your refund, experts say
Free Tax Help and Financial Support for Low-Income Families
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) from United Way and the IRS provides free tax preparation. Volunteers undergo thorough training to assure certification and quality support. The 211 multilingual crisis line helps low-income families find free tax aid, including online.
Israel Navarro, Heart of Florida United Way’s crisis services and quality insurance manager, stressed the need of educating community people about VITA tax assistance choices.
According to VITA volunteers, these tax credits can help residents with debt reduction, career training, home savings, car maintenance, and other financial needs.
READ ALSO:Â Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
