Eligible Newark residents can receive free tax assistance at eight sites in the Brick City thanks to Mayor Ras Baraka and the United Way of Greater Newark. Baraka on Thursday announced that the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program is now open to provide free in-person tax assistance to community members making $80,000 or less in taxable income, help them file, and save them up to $248.
The VITA program also helps eligible taxpayers, many of whom are Asset Limited, Income Constrained and Employed claim the Earned Income Tax Credit and other valuable tax credits, which can total over $6,000.
Tax preparation support will be offered in English and Spanish and, is also available virtually through the GetYourRefund website.
“The City of Newark is proud to once again partner with the United Way of Greater Newark to provide regional residents with expert volunteer income tax preparation assistance and ensure that they get the greatest refunds possible,” Baraka said. “I thank the entire United Way team for their hard work, professionalism, and commitment to our residents.”
“Because our ALICE residents are not earning enough to cover all their bills, it is difficult for individuals to know how to access funds that they need for basic necessities,” Catherine Wilson, president and CEO of UWGN said. “Our goal is to reach as many families as possible this tax season and offer resources that help members of our community thrive. We are all part of a larger Newark network and truly believe that if we uplift one another, we will be stronger together.”
VITA is an IRS-sponsored service and a core component of Newark Free Tax Prep, an initiative under the Newark Asset Building Coalition (NABC). Since 2018, the program has helped prepare over 35,000 federal taxes, refunding over $47.5 million to the local community and saving $10 million in avoided filing fees. With nearly half of Greater Newark’s population living as ALICE households, UWGN is making critical strides in providing accessible resources that support financial stability and provide much-needed income.
To find a UWGN VITA site, please click here.
