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Eligible
Ohioans can file taxes free through Ohio Benefit Bank
Free tax assistance available for households ‘Married Filing Jointly’
earning less than $90,000 annually and all other filing status’ earning
less than $65,000 annually.
Tax season is quickly approaching, and thousands of Ohioans will soon
begin the filing process to ensure that they receive their refunds. To
save taxpayers a little extra money this year, when individuals and
families can use every extra dollar, Fish Choice Pantry is partnering
with the Ohio Association of Second Harvest Food banks (OASHF) to help
low and moderate income Ohioans obtain free Federal and State income
tax return assistance and to identify if they are eligible for other
work support benefits.
Free tax assistance is provided through The Ohio Benefit Bank (OBB), an
Internet-based, service that connects low-and-moderate-income Ohioans
to potential work supports, such as health care coverage, home energy
assistance, child care subsidies and food assistance .
Eligible individuals can obtain free tax assistance by visiting The OBB
website at www.ohiobenefits.org. The website is designed , not only to
help individuals and families prepare and electronically file their
taxes, but also enables Ohioans to claim all credits for which they are
eligible at no cost, as well as review potential eligibility for other
community supports. If clients choose to use direct deposit, they can
receive their refund in as few as seven to ten days.
Trained counselors at Benefit Bank sites and clinics throughout the
state will help Ohioans prepare and file their tax returns at no cost
if they meet the income eligibility requirements. If eligible, clients
can also claim the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), as a special tax
refund program for working families and individuals. The Benefit
Bank does not support tax forms for farming or rental income.
“Too many Ohio tax payers miss out on receiving free tax assistance
each year just because either they don’t know it’s available or they
don’t know where to get this valuable service,” said Kristy Cutarelli,
Director of the Fish Choice Pantry. “In addition, at least one in every
four taxpayers eligible for the EITC fails to claim the credit, which
is why we are urging residents to come and visit our location to learn
more so they don’t miss out on potential benefits and tax savings this
year.”
Each year, more than $1.7 billion dollars in tax credits and other
supports go unclaimed by eligible Ohioans who do not apply for it. More
than 95 percent of these unclaimed funds are federal dollars. Claiming
these dollars will bring more federal money to Ohio, therefore helping
to boost the state’s economy.
If you are interested in serving your community by becoming a tax
counselor, please contact Laura at 937-547-9730 for information on The
Benefit Banks free online tax training.
The Fish Choice Pantry is a registered 501©3 food pantry located at 400
Markwith Ave in Greenville. They are open to the public for food
distribution on Mondays, 1-2 pm, Wednesdays, 10-11 am and Fridays 4-5
pm. They also deliver food to shut-ins Monday through Saturday
each week. Clients are eligible for food once a month.
Please contact Fish at 548-2000 for further information concerning the
Pantry.
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