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     the Gospel
       always, and
    when necessary
    use words"
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United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB)
- Department of Social Development and World Peace (SDWP) -
Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP)
Tax Assistance
2010 VITA Program Coordinator: Julie Soyer. 
tax-coordinator.htm notes

Thank you once again for the Tax Program!

As our volunteer coordinator of this program since 2004 (for seven years and a volunteer participant for even more than seven years), Julie Soyer is so delightful to work with and for.   Julie writes the following letter, which demonstrates her hope and gratitude.   Julie, we thank you very much!
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One of my favorite concepts is that of synergy – the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.  I can think of no better example of this than the tax assistance program at St. Francis of Assisi.  Each of you are incredible individuals but together you are an amazing team!

As we come to the close of another tax season, I wanted to thank each of you for all of your hard work this year.  I am so proud of you for all of your efforts and am honored to have worked with you in this annual effort.

This year we were able to meet with over 80 clients and prepare tax returns totaling over $147,000 in refunds.  This refund amount is up over 40% from last year’s program.  Just amazing!

Each of you are to be commended for all of your efforts in helping those served by this program.  These refunds will help our clients in many ways, from paying for current household expenses to perhaps saving for the future.  Whatever our clients do with these refunds, they couldn’t do it without your hard work!

2009 was another challenging year for our community as unemployment has remained high.  However I see bright spots which give me hope that we will start to see a turnaround in the economy.  Help wanted signs are starting to go up, retail sales are on the rise and many of our clients this year are trying to start their own businesses.  It’s often said that necessity is the mother of invention so it’s good to see that many in our community are putting their skills to use in creative ways in order to make a living in a down economy.

As I look back over the 9 weeks that our program ran and think about the many people we served, one young woman comes to mind.  She came for her appointment on the last day of the program and fully expected to owe federal and state taxes due to low tax withholdings.  After her taxes were prepared and she saw that she was getting a refund, she began to cry in disbelief.  She was so happy!  She was not aware of some of the credits that she was eligible for and was so happy that we were able to help her take advantage of them.  This is why this program continues to be so important in our community and why I am so thankful to have all of you working so hard for all of our clients.  Your time and commitment is why we were able to achieve the results that we did and continue to serve so many. 

This year we welcomed seven (7) new volunteers:  Joe Kubis, Lynn Martin, Magda Munteanu, Megan Zhang, Andrew Szydlowski, Michelle Yurcak, and Sandra Kortesoja.   I hope that you enjoyed volunteering this year as much as I enjoyed meeting and working with you!  I hope you will all consider volunteering in the program next year.

We also welcomed back nine (9) of our past volunteers:  Ralph Almer, Lisa Evans, Sylvia Al-Rawas, Brad Hatch, Kathy Koehler, Greg McConville, Lynn Sohacki, Deisy Santos [and Julie Soyer].   I’m so glad that you were able to come back this year.  You made managing the program so much easier!

Of course it goes withhout saying that this program could not run withhout the support of the parish staff, especially Scott Wright who is the director of the Social Minisitry and oversees my efforts, Jim Russo who makes sure that we have the computers to run the tax software, the administrative staff who give up their offices on Saturdays for us, the staff and volunteers who setup and confirm the appointments, the Saturday office volunteers who make sure that everyone gets signed in and fills out the questionaires, and Fr. Jim and Fr. John who support the program 100%.

Thank you all once again for all of your work.  Stay in touch and I hope to see you all soon! 

Have a great year!!!

Julie M. Soyer



Do You Need Help With Your Tax Return?  Click Here!

Help With Tax Returns:
Volunteers are needed on Saturday mornings from February 6 - April 10, 2010, at St. Francis Parish, to assist in preparing a tax return for a low income person.  Training materials are provided.  Please contact: Julie Soyer  ;    (NOTE:  The program is NOT open on HOLY Saturday, April 3, 2010).
Tax Assistance Volunteer Program - VITA
Fill out the following form and click the "Submit" button.
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Volunteer Application - Online Sign-Up
for VITA- Tax Assistance Volunteer Program

    Name:

     Telephone:(Home# Work# Day# Evening#)

     E-mail Address:
 __I WILL assist with preparing Tax Returns.
 __I NEED HELP with my Tax Return.  -(If you are a home bound senior citizen a home visit is possible if you call Catholic Social Services' Tax Assistance - VITA Program at 734-712-3625. ) (Also, all year round senior citizen tax clients, may get TAX help either at the Catholic Social Services - Older Adult Services office or by home visit.  Call 734-712-3625
Additional organizations also offering help with a tax program listed here in a PDF file.
 __I want someone to contact me.  I want to  learn more about this Tax Assistance - VITA Program.
List Other Comments Here:

Questions contact: Julie Soyer  ; or, the Parish Social Ministry Office,  .

 

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Do You Need Help With Your Tax Return???

St. Francis Church will offer help to individuals with limited income and simple tax returns(We can only prepare returns with income of $45,000.00 or less.)   Parishioners volunteer their time to assist those in need, on their Income Tax Return.

Call the parish office (734-769-2550) to make a 45-minute appointment for any Saturday, listed here:

We will offer Tax Form Assistance at 10:30AM to 12:30PM.
Every Saturday from February 6 - April 10, 2010.   (except NOT on HOLY Saturday, April 3, 2010).

Location: Parish Office meeting room. (Do not just walk-in, please sign-up by the Friday before your Saturday appointment. We cannot promise to meet with you unless you sign up in advance.) 
Contact: (734-769-2550).

(If you are a home bound senior citizen a home visit is possible if you call Catholic Social Services' Tax Assistance - VITA Program at 734-712-3625. )   (Other TAX help, after our program ends, may be found at: Michigan Works Service Center 734-484-7247)
Individuals requesting tax assistance should 
            bring the following items to their session:
Social Security Card, as well as the Social Security Card for any dependents to be claimed on the tax return.

Government issued ID card, a Drivers' License or other identification card.

If you filed last year:
Last year’s tax returns.
(We can only prepare returns with income of $45,000.00 or less.)

If employed:
W-2 forms.

If you earned interested or received dividends:
1099 forms.

If you received social security or pensions:
1099 forms.

If you received Supplemental Security Income (SSI):
Records indicating the amount received for the calendar year…both federal and state amounts.

If you own your own home:
Property tax receipts/assessment documents.
Heating bills.

If you rent:
Records indicating the amount of rent paid for the calendar year.
Heating bills if paid separately from rent.

Other relevant documents in the event you have sold stocks, bonds or property…or you wish to itemize deductions. 

Like to Help With Tax Returns, Click Here!

St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Parish Social Ministry Office, 
2150 Frieze Ave., Ann Arbor, MI 48104

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