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Congressman Himes and Local Coalition To Announce Opening of Free Tax Sites in Stamford on EITC Awareness Day Friday
U.S. Representative Jim Himes (CT-4), along with the Lower Fairfield County Family Economic Security Coalition and the IRS, will announce the opening of free tax sites in Stamford on Friday, January 28th at CTE, Inc. January 28th has been designated by the IRS as Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Awareness Day, an effort to raise awareness among eligible working families about this valuable federal tax credit, which can be worth over $5,600 depending on family size.
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, part of a state- and nationwide initiative, offers free federal and state tax return preparation to households earning less than $49,000 per year. Taxes will be prepared by IRS-certified volunteers at convenient locations throughout the city. In addition to tax preparation, VITA customers will also have the opportunity to learn about other free services such as matched savings accounts and financial education.
Four VITA sites in Stamford are set to open in the last week of January. In 2010, Stamford VITA sites returned over $415,000 in tax refunds and credits to hundreds of local families. With the addition of a new VITA tax site in 2011, VITA is expected to reach more Stamford-area households this year than ever before. Community residents are invited to call 2-1-1 for details about VITA sites in their area.
In addition, Philip McKain, the President and CEO of CTE, Inc., the federally designated Community Action Agency for Stamford, Greenwich, and Darien, will announce the opening of CTE's new Wealth & Asset Development Business Center, which aims to provide enhanced "Business Incubator Services" that will provide starting entrepreneurs with access to investors, business skills/communication development, networking opportunities, business support, mentors and business development training. Tours of the new Center will be given following the press conference.
Press Packets to be distributed at press conference.
Q&A with Elected Officials, VITA Staff, IRS Tax Specialists and CTE, Inc. to follow press conference.
WHO:
U.S. Congressman Jim Himes, CT-4 [Confirmed]
Mayor Michael Pavia, City of Stamford [Invited - Not Confirmed]
Fred McElligott, Area Director, Internal Revenue Service SPEC Division
Philip McKain, President & CEO, CTE, Inc.
James Horan, Executive Director, CT Association for Human Services
Jack Condlin, President, Stamford Chamber of Commerce
Staff & Volunteers from Stamford VITA sites
Local Nonprofit & Business Leaders
WHEN:
Friday, January 28th, 2011
Press Conference: 11:00am
Launch of CTE's Wealth & Asset Development Center: 12:00 noon
WHERE: CTE, Inc. - Community Room - Room 215, 34 Woodland Ave, Stamford, CT
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