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BUTLER COUNTY — A coalition of local nonprofit agencies will be offering income tax filing assistance at no charge.

The Earned Income Tax

Credit program begins Feb. 3 at several agencies throughout Butler County. The program has been geared to serve those with low to moderate incomes by appointment only.

About 80 volunteers will be on hand to assist residents during the tax season. Officials said they hope to serve 500 residents this year, compared to nearly 350 last year.

"We're particularly anxious to help get every deduction they're entitled to, rather than get an instant refund loan," said Bruce Jewett, director of the Butler County Department of Job and Family Services. "We're looking forward to it being bigger and better."

It is the third year for the EITC program, which is a collaborative of BCDFS, Butler County United Way, U.S. Bank, the Legal Aid Society of Greater Cincinnati, Butler County 211 and Supports to Encourage Low-income Families. BCDFS spent $75,000 to fund the program.

EITC Coordinator Kate Nolan of Legal Aid wants to spread the word about the available help so those filing can claim their refund.

"About $2 to $3 million goes unclaimed every year in Butler County," she said.

Taxable earned income includes: wages and tips; union strike benefits; net earnings from self-employment; and long-term disability benefits received prior to the minimum retirement age.

At SELF, Executive Director Jeffrey Diver said he's pleased to offer the tax preparation, as well as other services for low-income people.

"We're doing a lot more than tax preparation," he said. "We want to provide as much support to working families as we can in a convenient setting."

SELF will be a "Super Site" for the county. It will provide tax services with two kinds of software. The applications also will be

available to residents to qualify for other assistance programs.

"This is a tremendous need for our clients to retain as much of their tax return as they can," Diver said.

For more information about the EITC program, contact the free social service referral line Butler County 211.

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2180 or ch

ubbard

@coxohio.com.