Camarillo, CA — Low to moderate income workers can receive free help with tax preparation and income tax filing at a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site located throughout Ventura County. Tax returns are filed electronically by IRS-trained volunteers and filers may receive as much as $5,751 for families with two or more children – even if they pay no income tax. The Ventura County Financial Empowerment Partnership aims to increase the number of individuals and families who receive no-cost tax preparation assistance and who access the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) program — the nation’s largest and most powerful federal aid program for the working poor.

“The EITC can boost a family’s income, but the rules are somewhat complicated and so not everyone who applies for it will receive it,” said Susan Englund, United Way of Ventura County's Vice President of Community Impact.

The Partnership targets individuals and families with a household income of less than $50,000. Beginning the week of January 30th, trained volunteer tax preparers will prepare federal and state tax returns at sites located at El Concilio in Oxnard, Housing Authorities of Ventura and Oxnard, and in the Job & Career Centers in West Oxnard, Santa Clara Valley, Ventura and East County. The public is encouraged to call 2-1-1 to schedule an appointment at any of the eight Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) locations throughout Ventura County.

Tax filers must bring a social security card for each family member or ITIN number for the working adult(s), W-2 forms for all jobs worked in 2011, all 1099 forms for other income earned, photo identification for each adult filing, child care provider information, and bank routing and account number for direct deposit of refund.

Ventura County Financial Empowerment Partnership members include United Way of Ventura County, the Business and Employment Services Department of the County of Ventura’s Human Services Agency, Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation, and the IRS.