For Immediate Release:
April 4, 2011
Contact: Elise Marsh
703-209-3787
DELEGATE
BARBARA COMSTOCK HOSTED FREE ONLINE TAX
PREPARATION PROGRAM AT McLEAN COMMUNITY CENTER
Software
Can Help Over 2 Million Virginia Taxpayers Claim All Possible Tax
Credits and Deductions
McLean, VA – Last week, Delegate Barbara Comstock hosted an event at
the McLean Community Center featuring the new Virginia Free File Program, which
enables over two million eligible Virginia taxpayers to prepare and file both
their state and federal tax returns for free.
Delegate Comstock also reminded
taxpayers of the April 18th deadline to file taxes this year during the press
conference. Comstock joined the
Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA), the sponsor of the
event at the McLean Community Center on Tuesday, March 29th.
“Virginia
Free File is a free tool to help our taxpayers file accurate state and federal
returns and get all of the deductions they are entitled to,” said Comstock.
“The program costs eligible taxpayers nothing to use and gives a helping
hand to those who are struggling. Free
File is an example of how government and private industry can work together to
help people help themselves. ”
Virginia Free File is a public-private
partnership between the Virginia Department of Taxation and several
industry-leading private software companies. It enables over two million
eligible Virginia taxpayers to choose between simple, state-of-the-art, online
tax preparation programs – donated by these companies – to prepare both their
state and federal tax returns for free. Eligibility is different for each
product; however, most state residents qualify for these services. Eligible
residents include those who had an income under $58,000 AGI (adjusted gross
income), who served active duty military any time in 2010 (including National
Guard and Reserves), and who are eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit
(EITC). If you used Virginia's old iFile system last year, you are
eligible for, and should have received, a voucher from the Virginia Tax
Department to use Free File this year.
If you need a voucher, you can contact Delegate Comstock’s office for
assistance in getting a voucher.
Free filing services through the
Virginia Free File Program (www.tax.virginia.gov,
click on VA Free File logo) are available online 24/7 through October 18, 2011.
Eligible Virginia residents can use Free File services anywhere they feel
comfortable using the Internet; there is nothing to download or buy. Virginia
Free File is modeled after the IRS Free File Alliance (www.freefile.irs.gov) and the state is
one of 21 in the country sponsoring a statewide program.
David
Macklin attended the event on behalf of event sponsor CCIA. “We are immensely
grateful to Delegate Comstock for her support for educating her constituents
about this program. With Free File, taxpayers benefit in a number of ways: they
can choose between commercial tax software products; they can file with the
assurance that their information is safe and private - companies donate the
software with no strings attached. The benefits extend to government, as well.
Free File is just what the name implies: free. Governments can provide online
tax services to citizens at no cost to them or to taxpayers. Finally, Free File
is good for the economy: it allows industry to freely compete and innovate.”
Following the Tuesday morning press
conference, community-based organization representatives participated in an
hour-long tax training workshop to learn how easy it is to use these programs,
share ideas, and gain access to outreach materials to inform eligible taxpayers
in the community.
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