Libraries, SCOW offer free tax assistance
Residents can once again get free tax assistance this year from volunteers at the Meriden and Wallingford public libraries and the Spanish Community of Wallingford.
Maria Campos Harlow, executive director of the United Way of Meriden and Wallingford, said the program has been growing steadily over the past few years and helped prepare 1,488 tax returns last year, yielding $1,844,907 in tax returns in Meriden and Wallingford alone. Over 20 volunteers from the local United Way are trained each year to prepare simple tax returns by the Human Resources Agency of New Britain, under the auspices of the federal Internal Revenue Service.
“We’re very happy to see how the program has been growing … and we’re looking forward to another successful tax season,” Harlow said.
Providing free tax assistance can save families hundreds of dollars over commercial preparation services and maximize tax returns for families that need them the most, Harlow said. The service is available for those with a household income of less than $56,000 last year.