Norton's 9th Annual Tax & Information Fair to Offer Free Electronic Filing & Much More (2/12/09)
Norton's 9th Annual Tax and Information Fair to Offer Free Electronic Filing for Rapid Refund, Information About Stimulus Package Job Training Benefits to D.C. Residents, and Other Services
February 12, 2009
Washington, D.C. - As District residents struggle with rising unemployment and a frightening economic outlook, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) will hold a press conference at 11 a.m., in room 146-A, during her9th Annual Tax Preparation and Information Fair, Saturday, Feb. 14, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Washington Convention Center. More than 150 tax professionals from the Internal Revenue Service, OTR, AARP, and the D.C. Office of Tax and Revenue will provide free tax preparation to District residents. She has secured a larger space for the fair this year and 15 additional computers to speed service. This service is offered to D.C. residents who file basic tax returns, as a viable alternative to the high-interest Rapid Refund Anticipation Loans targeted at low and moderate income families who want to access their money quickly. Filing is done electronically for rapid results. Residents who qualified for but did not apply last year for their stimulus rebate check will be guided on how to claim tax credits for their rebate.
A District resident who benefitted from the Congresswoman's D.C.-only $5,000 tax credit for home buyers will talk about how the tax credit helped her buy a home here even during the economic crisis. A representative from the District's business community will speak about Norton's business tax credits, especially the tax break for businesses that have D.C. residents as employees. The Maryland and D.C. Credit Union Association will be on hand to open checking accounts for residents with as little as $5, and testing for HIV/AIDS will be available, as at all Norton events. The Congresswoman also will discuss the benefits for the District in the President's stimulus package, including the pre-apprenticeships and apprenticeships funded by a Norton amendment, and benefits and projects that will benefit District residents.
More than 500 residents attended the tax fair last year, and the Congresswoman, who offers this service each year to help mitigate the insult to D.C. taxpayers who pay federal taxes but lack reciprocal representation in Congress, expects a particularly large turn-out this year, as residents seeking to save their money during this worst economic crisis since the 1930s want information and assistance on taxes and the many refundable tax credits available. Tax credit increases include an increase in the maximum amount allowed under the Hope Credit, from $1650 to $1800, a credit used mostly by college students. Residents will also learn about a tax credit extended to D.C. residents who have students enrolled in college in Midwestern disaster areas, and hear about changes to the Earned Income Tax Credits.
In addition to getting their taxes prepared, tax fair participants will learn more about the transition to digital television from representatives from the FCC. They will be able to open a credit union account for direct deposit of their income tax refund, and talk to IRS representatives about identity theft, or speak to representatives from the D.C. College Savings Plan about starting a college fund.