From the Dallas South News Wire (Consumer Credit Counseling Service)
Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Greater Dallas (CCCS of Greater Dallas), a nonprofit provider of free housing and credit counseling and financial education, is continuing to offer free tax preparation though its partnership with United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, Girls Inc. and Ferguson Road Initiative. Part of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program in conjunction with the IRS, the United Way “Earn It! Keep It! Save It!” initiative provides free tax assistance to any individual or family with an adjusted gross income under $50,000.
From January 30 through February 28, volunteers from the four participating organizations completed more than 275 returns equaling over $721,000 in tax refunds. This already exceeds last year’s total of $646,193. Free tax preparation, financial education and social services benefits counseling will be offered four days a week through April 15.
“CCCS of Greater Dallas is proud to be a part of this year’s Earn It! Keep It! Save It! tax preparation program,” said Todd Mark, vice president of education for CCCS of Greater Dallas. “Filing a tax return can be scary for some, but for many, so can the cost of getting tax prep assistance. Free tax prep through our VITA sites is a valuable service, as is the financial education we seek to provide. The individuals volunteering for this initiative won’t simply help prepare your tax returns, but guide you with the wise use of a return, setting financial goals, maximizing available benefits, improving credit and starting the habit of saving with a legitimate financial institution.”
CCCS of Greater Dallas joined the program to offer increased awareness of financial literacy and education: basic budgeting habits, the wise use of credit and money management, setting of money-smart financial goals, acquisition of banking tools such as checking and savings accounts, understanding the earned income tax credit, and warnings about the costs of payday lenders and tax refund advanced loans, in addition to free income tax preparation through IRS-certified tax preparation volunteers.
“During these tough financial times, it is important for all consumers to know the importance of budgeting and saving. What better time to start saving than when you receive your tax refund,” Mark continued.
Individuals should bring the following documentation:
- IDENTIFICATION – Photo ID, Social Security, or ITIN cards
- INCOME DOCUMENTATION – W-2, 1099’s, disability, unemployment
- EXPENSE DOCUMENTATION – for credits and deductions you want to claim
- If you prefer Bank Direct Deposit, bring an empty/voided check.
- If possible, last year’s tax return
Trained and certified volunteers will be at the following VITA sites through April 15. A full schedule can also be found at www.cccs.net or by calling 214-540-6862.
VITA Locations:
Girls Inc. – Love Field
2040 Empire Central Drive
Dallas, Texas 75235
Girls Inc. – South Dallas
4411 Meadow Street
Dallas, Texas 75215
Girls Inc. – Oak Cliff
350 North Zang Boulevard
Dallas, Texas 75208
Ferguson Road Initiative
7229 Ferguson Road, Bldg 4101
Dallas, Texas 75228
New Hope Lutheran Church
2835 Peavy Road
Dallas, Texas 75228
CCCS of Greater Dallas
8737 King George Drive
Dallas, Texas 75235
Time & Date
Locations
Tuesday, March 2
7 to 9 p.m.
Girls Inc. – Love Field
New Hope Lutheran Church
Thursday, March 4
7 to 9 p.m.
Girls Inc. – South Dallas
Girls Inc. – Oak Cliff
Saturday, March 6
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Girls Inc. – South Dallas
Girls Inc. – Oak Cliff
Girls Inc. – Love Field
Ferguson Road Initiative
New Hope Lutheran Church
Monday, March 8
5 to 9 p.m.
Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Greater Dallas
Tuesday, March 9
7 to 9 p.m.
Girls Inc. – Love Field
New Hope Lutheran Church
Thursday, March 11
7 to 9 p.m.
Girls Inc. – South Dallas
Girls Inc. – Oak Cliff
Saturday, March 12
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Girls Inc. – South Dallas
Girls Inc. – Oak Cliff
Ferguson Road Initiative
New Hope Lutheran Church
Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Greater Dallas
Monday, March 15
5 to 9 p.m.
Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Greater Dallas
Tuesday, March 16
7 to 9 p.m.
Girls Inc. – Love Field
New Hope Lutheran Church
Thursday, March 18
7 to 9 p.m.
Girls Inc. – South Dallas
Girls Inc. – Oak Cliff
Saturday, March 20
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Girls Inc. – South Dallas
Girls Inc. – Oak Cliff
Girls Inc. – Love Field
Ferguson Road Initiative
New Hope Lutheran Church
Monday, March 22
5 to 9 p.m.
Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Greater Dallas
Tuesday, March 23
7 to 9 p.m.
Girls Inc. – Love Field
New Hope Lutheran Church
Thursday, March 25
7 to 9 p.m.
Girls Inc. – South Dallas
Girls Inc. – Oak Cliff
Saturday, March 27
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Girls Inc. – South Dallas
Girls Inc. – Oak Cliff
Ferguson Road Initiative
New Hope Lutheran Church
Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Greater Dallas
Time & Date
Locations
Monday, March 29
5 to 9 p.m.
Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Greater Dallas
Tuesday, March 30
7 to 9 p.m.
Girls Inc. – Love Field
New Hope Lutheran Church
Thursday, April 1
7 to 9 p.m.
Girls Inc. – South Dallas
Girls Inc. – Oak Cliff
Monday, April 5
5 to 9 p.m.
Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Greater Dallas
Tuesday, April 6
7 to 9 p.m.
Girls Inc. – Love Field
New Hope Lutheran Church
Thursday, April 8
7 to 9 p.m.
Girls Inc. – South Dallas
Girls Inc. – Oak Cliff
Saturday, April 10
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Girls Inc. – South Dallas
Girls Inc. – Oak Cliff
Girls Inc. – Love Field
Ferguson Road Initiative
New Hope Lutheran Church
Monday, April 12
5 to 9 p.m.
Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Greater Dallas
Tuesday, April 13
7 to 9 p.m.
Girls Inc. – Love Field
New Hope Lutheran Church
Thursday, April 15
7 to 9 p.m.
Girls Inc. – South Dallas
Girls Inc. – Oak Cliff
/