Help Finding Free Tax Preparation

from our friends at the IRS:

The new VITA Site Locator is scheduled to launch late evening on Friday, January 27, 2012.  The locator will be accessible from the "Free Tax Return Preparation for You by Volunteers" page on IRS.gov.  Taxpayers can find this page by searching IRS.gov using keyword "VITA" or “Free Tax Preparation.”  All sites that are active and open to the public will appear in the VITA site locator, except AARP and FSA sites.

 

 

Here’s how it works: A taxpayer will enter their zip code and choose a search radius of 5 to 100 miles.  The available sites within the selected radius will appear, providing the following information:

 

·    Site Name

·    Address

·    Phone Number (if available)

·    Dates and Hours of Operation

·    Languages Supported

·    Appointment Requirements (Required or Not Required)

 

Taxpayers can then select a specific location and enter their full address to get a map providing directions from the address to the selected VITA site. Please note that in this initial launch of the VITA Site Locator,only site information from early December 2011 is available.  The first update of this listing is planned for the week of January 30.   We will update the locator on a weekly basis thereafter.

Call for Tutors for OASIS Intergenerational Tutoring Program

From our community partners at OASIS

For just a little of your time once or more a week,
you'll give a child the chance to shine.

As an OASIS tutor, you can help a child learn to love reading and learning. OASIS volunteers, Pittsburgh Public Elementary Schools, and Woodland Hills School District work together to help young children build reading skills and positive attitudes towards learning. 

That's the wonder of an OASIS tutor!

Tutor Training: Winter/Spring Session
Dates: Thursday, February 16 & Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Time: 10:15a.m. - 3:45 p.m.
Place: OASIS Office, Macys 6th Floor, 400 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
 
Required two-day training is provided free along with all clearances, books, and materials.
For more information please contact Shirley Fisher at 412-232-2023 or email tutoringpgh@oasisnet.org.

OASIS Intergenerational Tutoring Program is made possible by grants from The Grable Foundation,  and The Jack Buncher Foundation. 

Please forward this to anyone who you think would enjoy this opportunity.

Tips from the Social Security Administration

Social Security Column
EARN (AND KEEP) MORE MONEY
By Martin Keegan
Social Security District Manager in Pittsburgh, PA

You probably already know that there was an increase in Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) monthly payments at the beginning of the year. If you receive monthly Social Security or SSI payments, you received a 3.6 percent cost-of-living adjustment beginning with your payment for the month of January 2012.

For people who receive Social Security retirement benefits, there’s more good news. In addition to receiving a little more each month, you may now earn more income without offsetting your benefits because the “earnings test” numbers also have gone up.

If you have reached your full retirement age (age 66 for anyone born between 1943 and 1954), the earnings test does not apply and you may earn as much money as you can without any effect on your benefits.  However, if you are younger than full retirement age, collecting benefits and still working, we do offset some of your benefit amount after a certain earnings limit is met.  For people under full retirement age in 2012, the annual exempt amount is $14,640, and if you do reach that limit, we withhold $1 for every $2 above that limit from your monthly benefit amount. For people who retired early, continue working and will obtain full retirement age in 2012, the annual exempt amount is $38,880 and we will withhold $1 for every $3 you earn over the limit from your monthly benefits.

You can learn more about the earnings test and how benefits may be reduced by visiting our website, www.socialsecurity.gov, and searching on the topic “earnings test.”

Find out what your full retirement age is at our Retirement Age page, www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/ageincrease.htm

You also may want to read our publication, How Work Affects Your Benefits. It’s available at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10069.html.

Social Security Administration Updates

Visit the website of the U.S. Social Security Administration and sign up for email newsletters to keep you abreast of changes and updates in Social Security programs. Newsletters available for subscription include: public service announcements, help with mediare and prescription drug costs, eNews, disability research, Social Security news and many other topics. Visit www.ssa.gov/govdelivery to learn more!

GO DIRECT

Winter Storms Can Be Hazardous to Your Federal Benefit Check
With electronic payments you can count on your money despite severe weather
Source: U.S. Department of the Treasury, Financial Management Service

If you get federal benefit payments by paper checks, you should know that you are required by the U.S. Department of the Treasury to switch to an electronic payment method. By getting your money electronically, you will help save taxpayers millions of dollars each year. You must make the switch by March 1, 2013, but you don’t have to wait for the deadline. The winter months are the perfect time to switch and take advantage of the reliability and ease of electronic payments.

Ice, snow and subzero temperatures can leave you trapped in your home and temporarily interrupt important services like mail delivery.  If you rely on paper checks for your federal benefit payments, a winter storm can leave you without access to your money at a time when you need it most. 

Last winter was a record-setter for many parts of the Northeast. Accuweather.com predicts above normal winter precipitation for most of the Northeast during January and February 2012.It’s important to take action now to protect your money before a winter storm hits.

Winterize Your Money Today
Switching to electronic payments is a simple step you can take to ensure your money gets to you on time, every time. With electronic payments, your money won’t be slowed down by winter weather and you won’t need to leave your home to cash or deposit a check. The Treasury Department recommends two electronic payment options:

• Have a bank or credit union account? Sign up to get your money by direct deposit to a checking or savings account. Your federal benefit payment will go straight into your account on payment day each month. On time, every time.
• Prefer a prepaid debit card? Switch to the Direct Express® Debit MasterCard® card. You money will be posted to the card account on payment day each month. You can make purchases and get cash back with purchases at no charge anywhere Debit MasterCard® is accepted. There are no sign-up fees, overdraft fees or monthly fees. Some fees for optional services may apply. For information on card fees and features, visit www.GoDirect.org. No bank account or credit check is needed.

Switching is Fast, Easy and Free

To switch to direct deposit or the Direct Express® card, contact your federal benefit agency office, visit the Treasury Department’s Go Direct® campaign website at www.GoDirect.org, or call the U.S. Treasury Electronic Payment Solution Center at (800) 333-1795. For direct deposit to a checking or savings account, you can also make the switch at your local bank or credit union.

Winterize your federal benefit payments now before a winter storm gets between you and your money. Switch to direct deposit or the Direct Express® card today.  For more information, including an instructional video on how to sign up, visit www.GoDirect.org.