Did you work in 2012? You may be eligible for up to $5,891 through the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) – even if you don’t owe taxes.
The Free Community Tax Service can help you claim the EITC and file your taxes for FREE. Don’t spend hundreds of dollars filing your taxes when you can file for free and receive 100% of your refund – usually in just 10 days or less.
United Way is proud to work with several local community groups to help local residents retain more of their earnings.
The Free Community Tax Service provides free tax preparation and electronic filing of federal and Indiana tax returns for low- and moderate-income residents.
In 2012, the Free Community Tax Service sites helped file more than 2,685 returns for free (a 62% increase over the previous year), which saved residents up to $500,000 in tax preparation fees. The Free Community Tax Service continues to expand each year to better serve area residents.
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| Click here to download the brochure (pdf) |
Additionally, the Free Community Tax Service will assist residents who are eligible to receive tax refunds from the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). The EITC can result in a significant income boost- up to $5,891 for those who qualify!
The EITC is a refundable federal income tax credit for low- and moderate-income working individuals and families. A tax credit is a dollar-for-dollar reduction of taxes owed. Since it is a refundable credit, when the EITC exceeds the amount of taxes owed, it results in a tax refund to those who claim and qualify for the credit.
The EITC has no effect on certain welfare benefits. In most cases, EITC payments will not be used to determine eligibility for Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), food stamps, low-income housing, or most Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) payments.
To qualify, taxpayers must meet certain requirements and file a tax return, even if they did not earn enough money to be required to file a tax return.
Are You Eligible for the EITC?
How much of a refund can you get?
Where can you receive help?
Self-Service Site
College Goal Sunday
Super Saturdays
Mobile Sites
MyFreeTaxes.com/Bloomington
What do I need to bring with me to the tax assistance site?
Where can I get more information?
Who are the community partners?
Are you eligible for the EITC?
To be eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) you must:
• Have earned income from employment, self-employment or another source.
• Have a valid Social Security Number.
• Be a U.S. citizen or resident alien for the past year. If you’re a nonresident alien, you must be married to a U.S. citizen or legal resident and filing a joint tax return.
• Have no more than $3,200 in investment income.
• File a joint tax return if married.
• Live in the U.S. for more than half of the year.
• Be 25-64 years of age, if you aren’t claiming any qualifying children (if you are claiming qualifying children, you can be any age).
In addition, your 2012 income (Adjusted Gross Income) cannot exceed:
If you are MARRIED filing jointly
• $19,190 with no qualifying children
• $42,130 with one qualifying child
• $47,162 with two qualifying children
• $50,270 with three or more qualifying children
If you are SINGLE
• $13,980 with no qualifying children
• $36,920 with one qualifying child
• $41,952 with two qualifying children
• $45,060 with three or more qualifying children
Also, to claim the EITC you cannot:
• Be the qualifying child of another person.
• Be the dependent of another person.
• File Form 2555 or 2555-EZ (related to foreign earned income).
If you are claiming qualifying children, the child must:
• Have a valid Social Security Number,
• Be the taxpayer’s son, daughter, adopted child, stepchild, foster child, brother, sister, stepbrother, stepsister, or a descendent of any of these (e.g. grandchild, niece, or nephew).
• Be under age 19 at the end of the year; under age 24 at the end of the year and a full-time student; or be any age if permanently and totally disabled.
• Must live with you in the United States for more than half of the year.
How much of a refund can you get?
For tax year 2012, the maximum refunds are:
• $475 with no qualifying children
• $3,169 with one qualifying child
• $5,236 with two qualifying children
• $5,891 with three or more qualifying children
Where can you receive help?
You can visit any of these sites to receive free tax preparation assistance:
Broadview Learning Center
705 West Coolidge Drive, Bloomington, 812-330-7731
February 6 - April 11 (Call for an appointment.)
Wednesday: 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Thursday: 4:00 pm- 7:00 pm
Ellettsville Branch Library
600 W. Temperance St., Ellettsville, Phone 812-876-3383
February 1 - April 12 (Call for an appointment.)
Friday: 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Saturday: 12:30 pm - 2:30 pm
Indiana University Maurer School of Law
211 S. Indiana Ave., Bloomington
January 30 - March 7 (First come, first served.)
Wednesday and Thursday: 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Two Super Saturdays: March 2nd, March 23rd 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Ivy Tech Community College-Bloomington
200 Daniels Way, Room B201, Bloomington 812-332-1559 ext. 0
January 29 - March 9 (Call for an appointment.)
Tuesday and Wednesday: 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Friday: 12:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Saturday: 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Monroe County Public Library
303 East Kirkwood Ave., Bloomington, Phone 812-349-3050
(AARP Tax-Aide)
February 4 - April 12 (First come, first served)
Monday and Tuesday: 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Friday: 2:00 pm - 5:45 pm
Owen County Public Library
10 S. Montgomery St., Spencer, Phone 812-829-3392 ext. 1
February 2 - April 13 (Call for an appointment.)
Thursday: 5:30 pm- 8:00 pm
Saturday: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
South Central Community Action Program
1500 W. 15th St., Bloomington, Phone 812-339-3447 ext. 233
February 2 - April 13 (Call for an appointment.)
Tuesday: 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Saturday: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Twin Lakes Recreation Center,
1700 W. Bloomfield Rd., Bloomington, Phone 812-349-3720
(AARP Tax-Aide)
February 6 - April 11 (First come, first served.)
Wednesday: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Thursday: 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Swing by our self-service tax preparation site and file your own federal and Indiana state tax returns for free. Using a computer, you can file electronically with assistance from an IRS trained volunteer. No appointment necessary.
WorkOne, 450 S. Landmark Ave., Bloomington 812-331-6000 ext. 7001
January 31 - April 15 (First come, first served.)
Monday & Thursday 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
College Goal Sunday
Are you or your child considering attending college next fall? Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), while having your taxes done for free!
Ivy Tech Community College-Bloomington
200 Daniels Way, Room B201, Bloomington 812-332-1559 ext. 0
February 24 (Call for an appointment)
1:00 – 3:00 pm
Super Saturdays
Can’t make it to one of the traditional sites during a time or day that meets your needs? Stop by on one of the extra Saturdays to have your taxes prepared.
IU Kelley School of Business (hosted by the Indiana University Maurer School of Law)
1309 E. 10th St., Room 200/202, Bloomington
March 2nd, March 23rd 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Mobile Sites
The Free Community Tax Service is on the road! To better serve every resident in our community, we'll be taking the Free Community Tax Service to Broadview Learning Center, Cunot Community Center, Stone Belt, and LifeDesigns. Call 2-1-1 for details about dates and times.
MyFreeTaxes.com/Bloomington
Now you can file your taxes for free from the comfort of your own home! This online self-preparation and filing tool helps users prepare and file their federal and state taxes for FREE. Your combined Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) must be under $57,000 to receive this service free of charge.
Visit www.MyFreeTaxes.com/Bloomington to file your own taxes for free today!
Questions when using MyFreeTaxes? Call the national hotline at 1-855-My-Tx-Help from 10 am - 8 pm EST Monday - Saturday.
What do I need to bring with me to the tax assistance site?
You must bring the following to receive free tax help:
• Valid picture identification for taxpayer and spouse.
• Social Security cards and birth dates for yourself, spouse, and dependents.
• All W-2s, W-2Gs, 1099s and Social Security/ Unemployment benefit statements related to income received during 2012.
• If filing jointly, both spouses must be present to sign the required forms.
Additional information that may be required:
• If claiming child and dependent care expenses: the name, address, and social security number or EIN (employer’s identification number) of the provider.
• If claiming the Indiana Renter’s Deduction: the name, address, and phone number of the landlord.
• Any tax books received.
• A copy of last year’s tax return.
• For direct deposit of your refund, you must provide bank account and routing numbers.
• All 1098s related to interest on student loans.
• Out-of-pocket educational expenses for college.
• Any donations to Indiana colleges.
Where can I get more information?
• Call the individual sites or 2-1-1.
• Information in Spanish is available by calling 812-349-3860 or through El Centro Comunal Latino. Call 812-355-7513 or visit www.elcentrocomunal.org.
Who are the community partners?
United Way of Monroe County is the lead convener and sponsor of the Free Community Tax Service, a program of the Financial Stability Alliance. Free tax assistance and credits can offer a major economic boost, but there are lots of other ways to be financially savvy! Check out www.FinancialStabilityAlliance.org for resources on budgeting, savings, credit, and more. Plus, check out the community calendar to find out about upcoming local financial stability events!
Along with the United Way of Monroe County and the Financial Stability Alliance for South Central Indiana, the community partners include 2-1-1, AARP, Area 10 Agency on Aging, Broadview Learning Center, City of Bloomington, El Centro Comunal Latino, Ellettsville Branch Library, Indiana Legal Services, Indiana University Maurer School of Law, the IRS, Ivy Tech Community College, Monroe County Public Library, Owen County Public Library, South Central Community Action Program, Twin Lakes Recreation Center, Walmart, WorkOne Bloomington, and community volunteers.
