9 Family helps answer families' earned income tax credit questions

VITA - volunteer income tax assistance sites open

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ORLANDO, Fla. — 9 Family Connection has partnered with Heart of Florida United Way to answer questions about qualifications for tax credits that can help families save money.

Trained volunteers, who have been staffing a call center 24/7, answered more than 200 calls Friday morning about tax credits and free tax preparation.

People may contact the call center to find out if they qualify for the earned income tax credit, which is intended to lift low-income families from poverty. Qualified applicants may receive up to $6,000 in tax credits.

"The earned income tax credit is great because it's a refundable tax credit,” said David Foote, of Heart of Florida United Way. “So you can actually get more back in taxes that you might have paid in."

About 50,000 people in Central Florida leave money sitting on the table, he said.

"And that money just sits in Washington," Foote said.

[ Those who contact the call center often ask about Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, a program that provides free tax preparation to those who earn $54,000 or less. ]

"Seventy percent of all tax filers in this country can file (their) taxes for free," Foote said.

[ People can call 211 for a list of sites in Orange, Seminole and Osceola counties where qualified applicants may have their taxes prepared during the next 12 days. ]

Those interested must bring income-related documents with them, including W-2 and 1099 forms.