Pallone Touts Matawan Free Tax Prep Services

Earned Income Tax Credits Give Back Average of $2,000 to NJ Taxpayers

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. on Monday met with constituents at the Matawan Library to raise awareness about tax credits available to low- and middle- income families that will put more money back in their wallets. The free tax help service sponsored by AARP, launched on Monday to help educate people about all of the tax credits they are eligible to receive.

“The free educational and tax preparation services offered at this center and others like it are sometimes the only way people learn about the tax credits that give back almost $2,000,” said Pallone. “Especially in a tough economy, that money is a significant help to family budgets. If people don’t know about these tax credits they won’t benefit from them. I will continue to work hard to make sure people know about both these tax credits and free services such as this one.”

Last year, more than 38,000 in the sixth district people benefited from the earned income tax credit, which put an average of $1,870 back in the pockets taxpayers. But there may be many people who are not aware that they qualify. The IRS estimates that only 75 to 80 percent of those eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit, which primarily benefits low-income families.

"AARP Tax-Aide is excited to participate in the 2010 opening of the Matawan Aberdeen Library, one of the 11 sites in Monmouth County serviced by our nearly 80 volunteers,” said Kenneth Hoffman, NJ Tax-Aide State Coordinator. “We have over 36,000 volunteers who prepared 2 million federal tax returns in addition to state returns last year.”

The free tax prep services at the library will serve taxpayers Mondays and Tuesdays until April 12.

It’s important that New Jerseyans understand these and other tax credits are a result of Congressional efforts to help the unemployed and under-employed and that there are programs out there to help them with this process, Pallone added.