MAAC PROJECT TEAMS UP WITH SAN DIEGO ASSET BUILDING COALITON & INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE (IRS) TO PROVIDE FREE TAX PREPARATION ASSISTANCE TO SAN DIEGO COUNTY RESIDENTS

Chula Vista, California. – MAAC Project will host an IRS endorsed “Volunteer Income Tax Assistance” (VITA) Program Kickoff Celebration in Chula Vista on Tuesday, February 1, 2011 at 9 AM.  The kickoff event will take place at MAAC’s Seniors on Broadway Apartments, 845 Broadway, Chula Vista 91911, and is an effort to launch an educational campaign to increase awareness to eligible San Diego County residents about tax preparation assistance programs and possible qualifications to receive one or more federal tax credits designed to help low income taxpayers.

The VITA Sites provides FREE tax preparation to working families who average an annual income of $49,000 or less and require assistance in preparing their own tax returns. MAAC Project is currently seeking volunteers who are willing to help provide this service to the communities of Greater Barrio Logan, South East San Diego, Spring Valley, Carlsbad, and Chula Vista.  Volunteers will undergo specific certification training and test online for tax preparation certification.

VITA aims to help working families take advantage of all tax credits for which they are eligible, including earned income tax credit, child tax credits and education credits. This not only assists the individual family, but also increases tax dollars in the county.  With key stakeholders such as the MAAC Project and other members of the San Diego Family Asset Building Coalition, the VITA program has returned $21.8 million in federal tax dollars to low income individuals and families in San Diego County.  This number includes $7.3 million in the Earned Income Tax Credit and $4.1 million in the Child Tax Credit.

Individuals who are interested in volunteering or those interested in finding out more about how the VITA program might help them please contact 619-426-3595  or log on to www.maacproject.org for more information.