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Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara Offers Free Income
Tax Preparation for Low-Income Families in Santa Barbara

Monday through Thursday, and Saturday hours at two locations through April 15

March 4, 2008, Santa Barbara, CA — The Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara has opened its free income tax preparation centers for those who qualify. This is the Housing Authority’s sixth straight year of assisting in the preparation of income tax returns for the low-income earners in the Santa Barbara community - and all Housing Authority residents.

Free income tax preparation in English and Spanish is offered through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program to low-income families, seniors, the disabled and handicapped with earnings up to $39,783. The program also helps individuals claim any tax credits they are entitled to for the 2007 tax year.

The Housing Authority wants those who qualify to take advantage of the Earned Income Tax Credit. Those who qualify can receive up to $4,716. The Earned Income Tax Credit is a federal income tax credit for low-income workers who are eligible for and claim the credit. The credit reduces the amount of tax an individual owes, and may be returned in the form of a refund. Income limits should be less then the following to qualify: $12,590 (or $14,590 if filing jointly) with no children; $33,241 (or $35,241 if married and filing jointly) with one child; $37,783 (or $39,783 if married and filing jointly) with two or more children. Many are also eligible for the Child Care Credit, the Child Tax Credit, and college tuition credits.

This year, there are 18 trained volunteer tax preparers from local non-profits and businesses including: the Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara, the Housing Authority’s Family Self-Sufficiency program, Santa Barbara Bank & Trust, Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV), Santa Barbara City College, UCSB, Housing Authority residents, private citizens and the Internal Revenue Service.

As in years past, the Housing Authority’s Income Tax Preparation Centers are a collaborative effort. The Housing Authority provides the supervision, staff, location, internet access, materials and supplies for the tax centers. The Internal Revenue Service is providing the training, software and technical support, and Santa Barbara Bank & Trust is providing the computers and hardware.

Housing Authority’s Tax Preparation Center locations/hours:
• Family Opportunity Center, 526 West Montecito Street
• Paseo Voluntario Learning Center, 309 South Voluntario Street
• Both centers are open Mondays through Thurdays, 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM and Saturdays from 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM (between February 1, 2008 and April 15, 2008, except for holidays).
• Appointments are encouraged, schedule by calling 730-1188 (Montecito St) or 966-6581 (Voluntario St.) during the hours above. Walk-in appointments are also welcome.
• A list of all VITA tax centers in Santa Barbara County is available at www.hacsb.org/tax

Last year, the Housing Authority assisted over 560 people - with over 560 tax returns filed and $471,000 in total refunds.

The Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara is a local public agency created for the purpose of providing safe, decent, and quality affordable housing and supportive services to eligible persons with limited incomes, through a variety of federal, state, local and private resources. Please visit the website at www.hacsb.org.

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