It's tax time! Need some help?

FREE INCOME TAX ASSISTANCE

People needing free help to complete their federal tax forms have a number of options available to them. They can seek assistance at an IRS office, call IRS toll free numbers for forms or questions, or bring forms to a volunteer at a site offering Connecticut Tax-Aide program or Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) services. All options are free to the taxpayer.

TAX ASSISTANCE BY TELEPHONE

Anyone can call the IRS toll free phone line: (800-TAX-1040). The phone is answered by tax specialists and is open 24 hours, 7 days per week during the tax season. There is touch tone phone access for recorded tax information on over 100 topics.

Refund status information can be obtained three weeks after a claim has been filed. The following information must be given to obtain refund status: filing status (joint, single), social security number and amount of refund in whole dollars.

Tax assistance for people with hearing impairments and TTY equipment can be obtained by calling: 1-800-829-4059, 24 hours, 7 days per week. People without TTY equipment may be able to obtain access through federal or state relay services.

TAX ASSISTANCE AT IRS OFFICES

The IRS offers in-person income tax filing assistance all year round at local field offices throughout Connecticut. The field offices are located in Bridgeport, Danbury, Hartford, New Haven, New London, Norwalk and Waterbury. IRS staff help taxpayers prepare basic federal tax return forms. Taxpayers must go to the office and wait for their turn. There are no phone calls and no appointments taken for tax assistance at IRS offices.

TAX ASSISTANCE AT DRS OFFICES

The DRS offers in-person income tax filing assistance at the Hartford office until April 15. DRS staff help taxpayers prepare Connecticut tax return forms only. Taxpayers must go to the office by 4:00pm and bring their completed federal tax return. No appointments are taken for tax assistance at the DRS office. Taxpayers can call (860) 297-5962 or 1-800-382-9463, Monday-Friday, 8:30am-4pm for assistance over the phone.

AARP TAX-AIDE PROGRAM

AARP Tax-Aide volunteers offer free income tax assistance for low and middle income households at Tax-Aide sites during the tax season. Assistance to people ages 60+ is given priority. Local Tax-Aide sites can be found by calling the Tax-Aide Site Locator number: (888) 227-7669, using the Site Locator at the AARP website: www.aarp.org/applications/VMISLocator/searchTaxAideLocations.action or going to the 2-1-1 database: www.211ct.org/referweb/MatchList.aspx?n;;0;;N;325095;tax-aide;ExactPhraseNote: Some sites are by appointment only; some are walk in only.

VOLUNTEER INCOME TAX ASSISTANCE (VITA)

Trained volunteers at Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites offer free tax filing assistance from January 14-April 15. (Dates and times vary by site) Anyone, regardless of age, can use a VITA site for assistance. VITA volunteers help taxpayers prepare basic tax return forms. The general guideline is a limit of $49,000 a year for household income. VITA sites are held at libraries, churches, senior centers and other community meeting places. For a list of VITA sites, contact the IRS or go to the 2-1-1 database: www.211ct.org/referweb/MatchList.aspx?n;;0;;N;253491;VITA%20(Volunteer;ExactPhrase

Note: Some sites are by appointment only; some are walk in only.

2011 Campaign Kicks Off!

Matt DeRienzo and JoAnn Ryan, 2011 Campaign Co-Chairs, kicked off the 2011 Campaign for the United Way last night at a rally to introduce the campaign cabinet. Attendees included Brian Mattiello, Candee Palmer, Sandy Roberts, Angela Hohider, Dan Phelan, Katherine Marchand-Beyer, Gail Olsen, Michelle Teodorcyzk, Joyce Muse, Jennifer Ives-Groebl, Susan Suhanovsky, Greg Brisco, Mark Greco Jr., Paul McLaughlin, Stephanie Barksdale, Pat Marciano, Charlie Marciano, and Cheryl Corey.

Food For Your Neighbors

Well folks, it's been some time since we posted here but we need your help. We are in the middle of our 8th annual Food For Your Neighbors food drive and we're way down year to date. Last year at this time we had over 5,000 items - this year we're at 3,100. We know everyone is hurting, and the weather has not been wonderful, but the need for food is greater than ever. People are living on the edge with this economic situation and every little bit can help.

The Torrington food collection-distribution point will once again be located in the rear, Church Street entrance of the Register Citizen's Water Street building , and will be open through Wednesday, March 9th, from 1 - 5:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

Litchfield Bancorp is matching item for item every one who brings food to their bank drop offs - if you're running a food campaign at your business - maybe you could do the same?

For more information about how you can help in this Food For Your Neighbors food drive, call the United Way office 860-489-4131 or e-mail us at stephanie.uw.nwct@snet.net.

Can you help?