Newark Now Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Does Taxes For Free and Earns Bigger Refunds

Business Wire, Jan 8, 2008

Newark Now Volunteer Income Tax Assistance

WHAT:  On Wednesday, January 9, 2008, Newark's largest free tax
       services program, Newark Now Volunteer Income Tax Assistance
       (VITA) hosts a press conference to launch six (6) additional
       free tax preparation sites to total nine (9) in the City of
       Newark.  For five years, Newark Now VITA has provided free tax
       services in partnership with the City of Newark, the County of
       Essex, and Internal Revenue Service.  The free tax services are
       available to any New Jersey resident earning $40,000 or less.
       Newark Now VITA is prepared to serve twice as many filers at
       its nine citywide locations than it did in previous years due
       to increased eligibility in New Jersey's EITC program.


WHO:   Governor Jon S. Corzine, New Jersey
       Jim Gordon, Division of Taxation, Department of Treasury,
        New Jersey
       Mayor Cory Booker, City of Newark
       Modia Butler, President, Newark Now
       Anthony Santiago, VP of Asset Development, Newark Now
       Anibal Ramos, Director, Department of Economic Development,
        Training and Employment, County of Essex
       Reggie Dorsey, Newark Asset Building Coalition
       Debra Chapman, Internal Revenue Service

WHEN:  Wednesday, January 9, 2008 at 12:30PM

WHERE: Rotunda, Newark City Hall, 920 Broad Street, Newark, NJ 07102.

WHY:   New Jersey's new EITC rules increase eligibility for moderate
       and low-income earners to receive the refundable credit
       available through the nation's most effective poverty-fighting
       program. Starting this year New Jersey EITC benefits are now
       available to families without children.  Additionally, the
       state income threshold is now $39,783, up from $20,000
       previously.  Newark Now VITA exists to encourage people in
       urban areas to take advantage of the earned income-tax credit
       and offers free tax service to any New Jersey resident earning
       less than $40,000.  VITA is a program administered by Newark
       Now's Families Regaining Economic Empowerment Initiative
       (FREE).  VITA partners include Newark Asset Building Coalition,
       IRS, County of Essex, the City of Newark.