Rep. Chu and Controller Betty Yee Host Workshop Offering Free Tax Help to Low Income Families
Washington, D.C. – Today, Rep. Judy Chu (CA-27) and California State Controller Betty Yee hosted an event offering free tax preparation for low income families. The event, held at the Monterey Park Bruggemeyer Library, was part of the Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS) Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, which offers free tax help to individuals in households earning $53,000 or less, persons with disabilities, the elderly, and limited English language speakers. Rep. Chu, the office of State Controller Yee, and Monterey Park Mayor Hans Liang released the following statements:
“California leads every other state in unclaimed tax refunds. Many of those unclaimed refunds are of low-income families who are exempt from filing taxes but are still eligible for credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit or the Child Tax Credit. This is a real problem. Millions of these dollars could go straight back into the pockets of families that have earned it. That is why today’s VITA program is so important. VITA’s services will help our most hardworking families navigate the complexities of an often confusing tax system to get the most out of their returns.” said Rep. Chu.
“Last year, volunteers helped California taxpayers file more than 700,000 basic state and federal tax returns,” said State Controller Betty T. Yee, California’s chief fiscal officer. “In many cases, they got refunds and credits that they might have missed such as the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child and Dependent Care Expenses Credit.”
“Thanks to Congressmember Judy Chu and State Controller Betty Yee for hosting this VITA event. This program provides important support for many people in our community that face problems understanding income tax and filing requirements,” said Mayor Liang.
Today’s workshop is one of more than 150 VITA events happening across the Los Angeles area this tax season. More information on VITA programs can be found at www.chu.house.gov.