City employees help low-income families file tax returns

City employees help low-income families file tax returns;
one week left to take advantage of free service



One week remains for low-income families to have their tax returns prepared
for free at four Mesa Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites.
According to the IRS, millions of dollars are left on the table each year
by people who are eligible for but do not claim the Earned Income Tax
Credit. Sixty-two volunteers staff the Mesa VITA sites as greeters, site
coordinators, interpreters and tax preparers. Five of the volunteers are
City of Mesa employees.

"Mesa's VITA volunteers help bring money back to the people who worked hard
to earn it," said Mayor Keno Hawker. "An Earned Income Tax Credit refund
may help families pay bills, make a special purchase or save for future
education costs. Either way, that money is put back into the local
economy, where it belongs."

First-time volunteer Jennifer Ruttman is a senior auditor and CPA, who has
been working at the City for seven years. Ruttman volunteers at the Mesa
Community College Red Mountain site. She estimates it takes about 15
minutes to complete a return but that "everyone has their own unique
situation."

"A lot of people are intimidated by the idea of doing taxes," Ruttman said.
"One lady wanted to file as married, filing separately because her husband
has bad credit. I told her it doesn't work that way. People are afraid to
file taxes. They think the IRS is out to get them."

This is Bob Perry's second year as a volunteer tax preparer.

"I like the gratification of getting it done right," said the financial
specialist.

Connie Alvarado has translated for Spanish speakers for three years.

"There is a tremendous need for this service," said Alvarado. "Low-income
families can't afford to pay tax preparation fees and I enjoy being able to
help them."

Alvarado plans to be at the Mesa Community College main campus VITA site
every Saturday as well as Tuesday and Thursday evenings through April 9.

So far this tax season, the Mesa VITA volunteers have prepared and e-filed
more than 600 returns. For information about the four Mesa VITA site
locations, including maps, hours of operation and what to bring, call (480)
644-2387 or logon to www.cityofmesa.org/humansvc.

To locate other VITA sites in the Valley, call Community Information and
Referral Services at (602) 263-8856 or visit www.cir.org. For more
information about the Earned Income Tax Credit and all tax questions, call
the IRS at (800) 829-1040.