This year the Northwestern Ohio Community Action Commission (NOCAC) is helping low- and moderate-income wage earners obtain free federal and state income tax return preparation assistance, and to identify other work support benefits for which they may be eligible. Many people find themselves in an environment in which tax filing can be confusing and difficult. What’s worse, all too many tax filing services require fees and many offer Refund Anticipation Loans (RALs) which strip millions in fees each year from the earned-income tax credits paid to working parents ultimately reducing the amount of their tax return.

Free income tax preparation assistance is provided through the Ohio Benefit Bank, a Web-based, counselor-assisted program that connects low-to-moderate income residents with access to potential work supports, such as health care coverage, home energy assistance, child care subsidies and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly Food Stamps). At the Ohio Benefit Bank sites and clinics that offer tax preparation assistance, trained counselors will help clients prepare and file their tax returns at no cost, if they meet the income eligibility requirement of less than $56,000 per year in household income. If eligible, clients can also claim the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), a special tax refund program for working families and individuals who qualify for the program. The Ohio Benefit Bank is offered in partnership with the Governor’s Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives and the Ohio Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks.

Eligible individuals also can obtain free tax preparation assistance by visiting the Ohio Benefit Bank’s free online, self-service program through the Ohio Benefit Bank website at www.obb.ohio.gov. This program is designed to help individuals and families prepare and electronically file their taxes and claim all the credits for which they are eligible at no cost to them. With direct deposit, clients can receive their refund in as few as seven to 10 days.

The Northwestern Ohio Community Action Commission is offering the Ohio Benefit Bank tax clinics at the Sherwood United Methodist Church on the following Wednesdays from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm: February 10, February 24, and March 17. To make an appointment, call NOCAC at 1-800-686-2964.