NEWS For Immediate Release
Date: March 28, 2012
Contact: Kathy Day, 229-2470
Maureen Haggblom, mhaggblom@ak.org, 263-3823
Anchorage Free Income Tax Preparation Program Is Available to Help Alaskans Meet Tax Deadline
Anchorage, AK –Anchorage taxpayers have just three more weeks to file their Federal Income Taxes, but there is still plenty of opportunity to have them done accurately and free of charge, thanks to United Way of Anchorage and partners like AARP-Tax Aide.
Alaskans can take advantage of the Anchorage Free Income Tax Preparation Program at eight sites around Anchorage through April 17th. Tax sites are located at Anchorage Senior Activity Center, the University of Alaska Anchorage, First Free Methodist Church, Northeast Community Center, Spenard Rec Center, the AARP State Office, Credit Union 1-Mountain View, Crosspoint Community Church and on military bases. Days and hours vary, so check the schedule at www.FreeTaxPrepANC.com or call
2-1-1 to determine the date, time and location that is best for you.
One more Super Saturday event will be held on Saturday, March 31st at Crosspoint Community Church in south Anchorage. Bring the whole family for fun children’s activities, informational booths staffed by community service providers and local nonprofits, free money saving seminars and the opportunity to get your taxes done for free (hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., come early if you want to have your taxes done). The Super Saturday site is disability accessible and a sign language interpreter will be available throughout the day.
Anchorage residents also can take advantage of the new FAST Tax Site also at Gateway Learning Center, 801 Karluk Street, where filers will have access to free computers and volunteers who can assist them in getting started with filing their taxes online.
The Anchorage Free Income Tax Preparation Program has set a goal of helping 4,500 area residents file their taxes (not counting military bases) in 2012. Last tax season, Alaskans who filed from free local tax preparation sites saved more than $900,000 in preparation costs while being guided to over $1.7 million in Earned Income Tax Credits (EITC) and ultimately receiving more than $10 million in returns.
Taxpayers have until April 17 to file their tax returns this year because of Emancipation Day, a holiday observed in the District of Columbia which falls on Friday, April 15.
Free tax preparation in Anchorage is made possible by a collaboration between United Way of Anchorage, the IRS, AARP Tax-Aide, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA), the University of Alaska Anchorage, Wal-Mart Foundation, the National Disability Institute, the faith-based community, individual volunteers, nonprofits and government service providers.
For more details on tax preparation sites, contact Alaska 2-1-1 by dialing 2-1-1 or 1-800-478-2221, join us on Facebook and visit the website at www.freetaxprepANC.com.
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About United Way of Anchorage
United Way of Anchorage works to advance the common good by creating opportunities for a better life for all by focusing on the three key building blocks for a good life: education, income and health. The goal is to create lasting changes that prevent problems from happening in the first place. United Way invites everyone to be part of the change. GIVE. ADVOCATE. VOLUNTEER. LIVE UNITED. Please visit LIVEUNITEDANCHORAGE.org.
