FREE TAX HELP

CAP CITY

With tax season right around the corner, the Center For Economic Progress is giving low- income families and individuals a head start and a break. Free tax help is available on a firstcome, first-served basis beginning Saturday, Jan. 22, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and running through Monday, April 18. After Jan. 22, services will operate Mondays and Wednesdays 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Tax help is limited to families that earn less than $50,000 a year, and individuals who made less than $25,000 a year in 2010. Some service sites will offer help with Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) applications.

Make sure to bring all W-2 and 1099 forms, Social Security cards or Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITIN), a valid photo ID, copy of last year’s tax return and a copy of your most recent property tax bill. Also bring your bank account number and routing number for direct deposit or refund, and the amount of your college expenses in 2010.

Tax help is available at 687 East Linton Ave., just up the road from the American Cancer Society in Springfield. Services are also available in Peoria, Bloomington, Normal, Decatur, East Alton and East St. Louis. For a full list of participating services, visit www.economicprogress.org. All tax sites are ADA accessible.