This year, Workforce Solutions Brazos Valley and the Brazos Valley Council of Governments are managing the 2012 Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program in the Brazos Valley. The purpose of the VITA sites is to help low- to moderate-income families have their taxes prepared for free. Many families use money saved to pay bills or add to savings.  This free service has grown each year with the assistance of volunteers who are certified by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to prepare tax returns electronically.  If a family earned less than $50,000 in 2011, they could qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit (of up to $5,751).

The Brazos Valley VITA tax sites will open Feb 1, 2012, and will run until April 12, 2012. All taxpayers are seen by appointment only, so they should call 2-1-1 Monday through Friday between 8:30 am and 5:00 pm to schedule their appointment.

Community partners helping with this effort include the IRS, Mays Business School at Texas A&M University, 211 of United Way, Citi Bank, and Brazos Valley Affordable Housing Corp. 

Some of the assistance given to these customers includes a housing sponsored GED class which operates 5 days a week 8 to 5 and evenings to address literacy issues.  There are no waiting list for these GED services.  For those FSS customers registered on WorkinTexas, special joint housing and workforce case review team meetings are being held to identify and coordinate resolution of any  employment barriers.  The outcome of these meetings results in a joint comprehensive plan of services for each individual family which is then recommended to the family.  Designated workforce career coaches and business services staff work one-on-one to do job development for individuals who need that extra assistance.  As available, workforce funding assist with occupational  and on-the-job training.  And for those who are unemployed support is  given through a weekly job club.  To improve their financial stability customers in the FSS program contribute to a housing individual development account which receives matching funds.  When  FSS customers graduate from the program they are off of all public assistance and have savings to purchase a home, attend college, or start a business.  Many families have benefitted from this joint effort in the Brazos Valley.

During the tax season (from mid January to April 15^th), the Community Tax Center provides free income tax preparation for low to moderate-income working families.   The main site will be located at the Center for Regional Services at 3991 East 29th Street in Bryan, TX. These positions are temporary, part-time positions that extend from November 1, 2011, to April 30, 2012.

 To apply, please contact V. Morrison at 979-595-2801 ext 2138.

Click here to see what’s available and who to contact for more information.

Make the most of your financial future by opening a checking or savings account.

Visit http://www.bankonbrazosvalley.com/ or call 2-1-1 for more information.

Some Bank on Brazos Valley account features:

• No or low minimum opening balances
• No or low maintenance fees
• No minimum monthly balances
• Direct deposit of paycheks or monthly income
• Free debit cards
• Online banking

Visit WorkInTexas.com for a wide variety of jobs and resources from throughout the state.

If you are self-employed, you can file for benefits at http://ui.texasworkforce.org or by calling the Tele-Center 1-800-939-6631.  When disaster unemployment becomes available, TWC will contact you for further information using the contact information provided on your claim.

Some other important information for claimants:

• While the standard brochure reads 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, TWC is currently operating under extended hours and is taking calls from 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM Central.
• Claimants need to be sure and indicate they are unable work as a direct result of the wildfires when filing their initial claim by phone or on the Internet.
• Work search activities are exempted temporarily for individuals out of work or unable to look for work and informs staff that it is due to the wildfires.
• Claimants eligible to receive Regular UI Benefits must exhaust their maximum entitlement and any emergency extensions before they can receive disaster unemployment assistance.

For more information, please contact the Tele-Center at 1-800-939-6631.

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Offering this free service requires volunteers… lots of volunteers.  Volunteers are needed to prepare taxes, serve as greeters, and provide site support.  Training for all volunteer positions is provided by the Brazos Valley Council of Governments and the IRS.  Volunteers receive ongoing support from qualified staff and experienced managers who review all tax returns and are available to answer questions.  Volunteers are needed in the following counties: Brazos, Madison, Grimes and Washington.

There is no liability to volunteers preparing income tax returns free of charge.  Call soon to volunteer  Log on to the Volunteer Center of Brazos Valley at www.volunteerbrazosvalley.org and sign up to be a VITA volunteer.  We need you to make this help available.

 If you have any questions please contact Vonda Morrison vmorrison@bvcog.org or call 979.595-2800, ext. 2138.

 HOPE TO SEE YOU THIS TAX SEASON!

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