News Releases
News From Lane Family Connections at Lane Community College
Contact: Vena Williams, (541) 463-3302 williamsv@lanecc.edu
For release March 23, 2005
Last Minute Tax Tips for Bigger Refunds
SALEM, OR - Did you work last year? Do you have children? Did you pay for child care to work or attend school? Then you may be entitled to thousands of dollars in refunds from six different state and federal tax credits.
As the April 15 tax deadline approaches, Lane Family Connections, in partnership with the National Women's Law Center, is spreading the word about these valuable federal tax credits as well as state tax credits to working families.
"Too often, working families are unaware of tax credits or unaware that they can get their taxes done for free," said Vena Williams, Lane Family Connections Co-Director. "Some families will realize thousands of dollars in credits. In addition, families who pay for child care may be able to claim refunds from three different credits at the same time."
Three tax credits are designed to offset the costs of raising a family. Three others are intended to help families better afford child care expenses while they work or study.
Families may be eligible for:
* The federal Earned Income Tax Credit, which helps provide a wage supplement for low-income families (those earning less than $35,458 annually). The maximum value of this credit has increased from $4,204 in 2003 to $4,300 this year. Oregon also offers an Earned Income Credit with a maximum value of $215 this year.
* The federal Child and Dependent Care Credit, designed to offset some of the child or dependent care costs that families incur in order to work. The maximum value of the credit is $2,100 this year. Oregon also offers a Child and Dependent Care Credit with a maximum value of $1,800 this year, as well as a Working Family Child Care Credit of up to 40% of an eligible tax filer's child care expenses, without limit.
* The federal Child Tax Credit, designed to help families offset some of the costs of raising children. The maximum value of this credit is $1,000 per child this year.
"Even families who don't earn enough to be required to file tax returns may be entitled to these valuable credits, and could be missing out on a refund if they don't file," said Williams. "We want them to get the information they need, including where to find one of the free tax assistance clinics in their community."
Free tax help is available to families and seniors in Lane County at the following sites:
Cottage Grove
Cottage Grove Community Center, 700 Gibbs
Tues. 6-8 p.m. & Thurs. 10-4 p.m.
Appointment only, call 942-8751
Eugene
Celeste Campbell Senior Center, 155 High Street
Fri. 9-3 p.m.
Appointment only, call 682-5318
Centro Latino Americano, 944 West 5th
Tue & Wed 12-4 p.m. - L-Español
Appointment only, call 687-2667
Eugene Public Library
Singer Conference Room
100 W. 10th
Walk-in - Fri & Sat 10-3 p.m.
Lane Community College
Main Campus Center Building Cafeteria, 4000 E 30th Ave
Walk-In - Tue, Wed & Fri 9-3 p.m.
L-English / Español
Petersen Barn Community Center, 870 Berntzen Rd
Tue & Thurs 10 a.m -2 p. m.
Appointment only, call 682-5521
River Road Park District, 1400 Lake Dr
Thurs 12:30 - 4:30 p.m.
Appointment only, call 688-4052
Trude Kaufman Center, 996 Jefferson
Tue 9-3 p.m.
Appointment only, call 342-1881
University of Oregon, Lundquist College of Business, Rm. 228
Walk-in dates - Apr 2nd & 9th 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Willamette HS, LCC, Learning Center, 1801 Echo Hollow Rd.
Walk-in - Thurs all filing season 4 - 8 p.m.
Florence
Siuslaw Public Library, 1460 9th St.
Walk-in - Mon & Thurs 10 a.m. -2 p.m.
Junction City
Viking Sal Senior Center, 245 West 5th
Fri 9-3pm
Appointment only, call 998-1556
Oakridge
Oakridge Tax-Aide Site, 48137 E 1st
Mar 5th, 12th, 19th & 26th - 10-3pm
Appointment only, call 485-4404
Springfield
Springfield City Hall, Jesse Maine Rm., 225 5th
Walk-In - Wed & Thurs 10-4pm
Thurston HS, LCC Learning Center, 333 58th
Walk-In - Thurs 4-8
Willamalane Senior Center, 215 West "C"
Mon 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Appointment only, call 736-4444
Veneta
Tony Garcia Center, 88149 Territorial Rd.
Walk-In - Thurs 10 a.m. -2 p.m.
Appointment only, call 838-5678
Lane Family Connection participated in a tax credit outreach campaign conducted by the Oregon Child Care Resource & Referral Network beginning in early January. The campaign included television and radio ads featuring Governor Ted Kulongoski and distributing flyers, posters and other materials prepared by the National Women's Law Center in English and Spanish to local day care centers and other area organizations. For more information on child-related tax credits, visit the Network's website at www.oregonchildcare.org or English and Spanish callers may call toll-free 800-342-6712, English and Spanish.
Lane Family Connections of Lane Community College is one of 17 community-based child care resource and referral programs of the Oregon Child Care Resource & Referral Network. CCR&R programs serve 21,000 Oregon families each year with information and referrals about child care. The Network has the most comprehensive database of child care providers in the state. Families may search for child care free online at www.oregonchildcare.org or call Lane Family Connections at (541) 463-3954 or (800) 222-3290 for personalized assistance.
The National Women's Law Center is a non-profit organization that has been working since 1972 to advance and protect women's legal rights. The Center focuses on major policy areas of importance to women and their families including economic security, education, employment and health, with special attention given to the concerns of low-income women. For more information on the Center visit: www.nwlc.org###
