Rep. Johnson to highlight easy, free tax prep programs

IRS, Georgia Free File Programs and VITA Empower Eligible Georgia Residents To File Their Taxes for Free

CLARKSTON, GA – On Saturday, March 21, Congressman Johnson (GA-04) will be joined in Clarkston by community leaders to urge eligible Georgia residents to use the IRS and Georgia Free File programs to save money at tax time. In general, people with an income of $60,000 or less – 70 percent of all taxpayers – are able to use brand name tax preparation software to prepare and file their taxes for free. The briefing will also highlight free tax services provided by the Clarkston Community Center through the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.

Free File is a public-private partnership between the Internal Revenue Service and tax preparation software companies. Georgia is one of 20 states plus the District of Columbia that have formed state Free File programs, enabling eligible taxpayers to file both their federal and state tax return online for free.

Each year, the tax filing process results in unclaimed tax credits and deductions. For instance, estimates indicate 20 to 25 percent of people eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) fail to claim it, missing out on a refundable federal tax credit of up to $6,000.

This program can also help take the stress out of new changes this year resulting from the start of the Affordable Care Act. For the first time, taxpayers will have to disclose their healthcare status or face a tax penalty. The free services offered by Free File and VITA help eligible taxpayers claim what they have earned.

WHO: Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-4th District)

Dave Macklin, Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA)

Ellen Evans, Intuit Financial Freedom Foundation

WHAT: Encouraging Georgia residents to Use Free File and VITA at Tax Time

WHEN: Saturday, March 21

11:30 a.m. – Public briefing with Rep. Johnson

WHERE: Clarkston Community Center

3701 College Avenue

Clarkston, GA 30021

To access the GA Free File program, visit the Georgia Department of Revenue at www.dor.georgia.gov<https://www.dor.georgia.gov> and search “Free File” or CCIA’s Free File website, www.taxprephelp.org<https://www.taxprephelp.org>. For the IRS Free File program, visit www.irs.gov/freefile<https://www.irs.gov/freefile>.

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