This tax season, the Center for Economic Progress will be in over 30 Illinois communities, offering free tax help and financial services to low-income families. “In today’s difficult economy, hard-working, low-income families have been hit hardest,” said David Marzahl, Executive Director at the Center for Economic Progress. Families who earned less than $50,000 in 2009 and individuals who earned less than $25,000 are eligible for the Center’s free tax services. Those interested in having their taxes prepared should bring the following items with them to tax sites: income documents for all jobs worked throughout the year; Social Security cards or Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITIN) for all family members; valid photo ID; copy of last year’s tax return (if available); bank account number and routing number for direct deposit of refund; college expenses including books; and your most recent property tax statement.
Most free tax sites are open from Saturday, January 23 until Thursday, April 15. In Chicago, the Center’s free tax and financial services are available in Albany Park, Auburn Gresham, Bronzeville, Chicago Lawn, Humboldt Park, Lawndale, Loop, Pilsen, Rogers Park and Uptown. In Chicago suburbs and northern Illinois, services are available in Aurora, Crystal Lake, Elgin, Harvey, Joliet, Rockford and Waukegan. In central and southern Illinois, services are available in Alton, Bloomington, Champaign, Decatur, East St. Louis, Marion, Normal, Peoria, Rock Island and Springfield.
For more information, call 1-888-827-8511 or TTY (312) 701-1326 or visit www.economicprogress.org. All tax sites are ADA accessible.
About the Center for Economic Progress
The Center for Economic Progress is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping hard-working, low-income families move from financial uncertainty to financial security.
