Free Tax Services May Boost Refunds; Many People Miss Credit for Workers

By FELICIA THOMAS-LYNN

RoseMary Feldmann panicked when she received an income tax refund check $1,000 over the amount she expected.

“I was too scared to cash it,” Feldmann said. “I called the IRS and told them I got a check that wasn’t what it was supposed to be. I didn’t think it was mine.”

Well, it was hers.

She later learned that the additional cash came through the federal Earned Income Tax Credit program, which benefits people who work hard but don’t have huge incomes to show for it.

Feldmann, a single mother who is raising two children and a grandchild, earns on average $11.50 an hour as a security officer. This year, her refund is nearly $10,000, due in large part to the tax credit.

Although it is one of the government’s largest benefits programs for low-income working individuals and families, many people don’t take advantage of it, said Nayoakee Parker, asset development manager with the Social Development Commission.

Years ago, the agency joined forces with several public-private entities to form a coalition — known as the Milwaukee Asset Building Coalition — that offers free tax preparation for low- to moderate-income Milwaukee County clients in an effort to help them claim their earned income tax credits.

Anyone who earns less than $45,000 a year is eligible for the free tax service, which last year prepared 10,846 returns at various sites, including social service agencies, community-based organizations and health care facilities.

“They do very well. They’ve got electronic filing, and they are very efficient,” said Feldmann, who previously paid for tax preparation. “It got to be $100 and I thought that money could be applied to a bill.”

A cross-section of people are eligible for the tax credit, based on their filing status and income levels, including single individuals without children who earn less than $12,590 and married couples with two or more children earning less than $39,783 a year.

Parker said the state also offers an earned income tax credit in which people can claim a refund that is equal to 14% to 43% of their federal earned income tax credit refund.

Often, she said, families also can receive a child tax credit.

Eligible families that earn at least $11,500 a year can receive $1,000 for each child younger than 17.

“This can help Milwaukee County residents achieve financial independence,” Parker said. “This money right now, if you invest it correctly, can take your family to a whole different level. That’s what it’s all about.”

No one knows that better than Feldmann, who once relied on government assistance to feed her family.

“We had some rough times,” said Feldmann, who has used her refunds to pay off bills and purchase a “nearly new” car. Now the lifelong renter is setting her sights on owning a home.

MILWAUKEE ASSET BUILDING COALITION

Mission: To assist Milwaukee County residents in achieving financial independence.

Address: 4041 N. Richards St.

Phone: (414) 963-2694

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TAX HELP

Sites in Milwaukee offering free tax help through April 15 include:

– Social Development Commission-Richards, 4041 N. Richards St. 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays; 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturdays. Site will be closed March 21.

– SDC-Teutonia, 6848 N. Teutonia Ave. 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturdays. Site will be closed March 21.

– UMOS-Central, 4030 N. 29th St. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Appointments are recommended. Call (414) 486-5200.

– Maximus-North, 6550 N. 76th St. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays.

– Silver Spring Neighborhood Center, 5460 N. 64th St. Noon to 4 p.m. Thursdays.

– Milwaukee Area Technical College, 1015 N. 6th St., room M173. 5-7 p.m. Tuesdays, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. Site will be close March 22 and 25.

– Aurora Family Service, 3200 W. Highland Blvd. 5-7:30 p.m. Tuesdays.

– First Service Credit Union, 333 N. 35th St. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays.

– SDC-Southside, 931 W. Madison Ave. 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturdays. Site will be closed March 21.

– MATC-Oak Creek, 6665 S. Howell Ave. 4-7 p.m. Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays. Services end April 11. Site will be closed March 22, 26 and 29.

– Airport Executive Center, Consumer Credit Counseling Services, 4915 S. Howell Ave., Suite 102. 5:30-8 p.m. Thursdays, 9 a.m.-noon Saturdays.

– UMOS-Chase Ave., 2701 S. Chase Ave. 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays.

– Milwaukee Health Department, Southside Health Center, 1639 S. 23rd St. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays, except March 21.

Faces of Hope focuses on Milwaukee-area people who need a hand and the agencies that are helping them. Ideas? Call urban affairs reporter Felicia Thomas- Lynn at (414) 224-2073, or e-mail fthomas- lynn@journalsentinel.com.

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