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Free tax help can turn up credits

By JON WILSON
Published January 19, 2006

People who worked in 2005 might be eligible for federal income tax credits they don't know about.

Pointing out such potential financial benefit is one of the purposes of a free income tax preparation program for low- and moderate-income workers. The programs are available at several Pinellas County community centers.

In Largo, the assistance will be available at the Largo Library, St. Jerome Catholic Church and the Wachovia Bank branch at 1180 Jasper St. W.

Credits that can increase tax refunds include the earned income and child tax credits. Eligibility is tied to income and the number of children living with the taxpayer.

The tax service is part of the Wealth-Building Coalition and the Prosperity Campaign, Pinellas and Hillsborough county organizations whose mission is financial education.

"The IRS thinks that 15 to 20 percent of the people who are eligible (for credits) are not claiming," said Cherin Stover, project coordinator.

Stover said special effort is being made to reach out to Hispanic and Asian families.

"We're trying to get people over their fear" of dealing with financial matters, including those that involve banking and government, she said.

The Pinellas Wealth-Building Coalition, based at the James B. Sanderlin Neighborhood Family Center in St. Petersburg, began four years ago and was the first such group in Florida.

For information, call the county's 211 referral line. Cell phone users should call 210-4211. Or call Stover at 321-9444.

The AARP offers free tax help at these sites from Feb. 1 through April 17 to those with low to moderate incomes, with preference to the elderly. Taxpayers should bring all their Social Security cards, all pertinent records and last year's returns to the sites. Taxpayers eligible for Earned Income Tax Credit must present a photo ID. Free electronic filing is available at all sites unless otherwise indicated.

Largo

LARGO LIBRARY: 120 Central Park Drive. Hours: 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Mon., Wed.-Thur.; 12:30-5 p.m. Tue.; 5:30-8:30 p.m. Feb. 8, Feb. 22, March 8, March 22 and April 5; 12:20-4:30 p.m. Feb. 11, Feb. 25, March 11, March 25 and April 8. ST. JEROME CATHOLIC CHURCH 10895 Hamlin Blvd. Hours: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Tue. WACHOVIA BANK: 1180 Jasper St. W. Hours: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Wed. Seminole

SEMINOLE LIBRARY: 9200 113th St. N. Hours: 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Tue.-Wed.; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Thur. Pinellas Park

MAINLANDS LODGE: 9381 U.S. 19 N. Hours: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Wed. PINELLAS PARK PUBLIC LIBRARY 7770 52nd St. N. Hours: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Mon. and Fri.; 3:30-7:30 p.m. Thur.; noon-4 p.m. Sat.

[Last modified January 19, 2006, 01:48:21]