ASCET - WKTV Journal

Your Community in Action!

By Area Community Services Employment & Training Council (ACSET)

The New Year is here! It’s also the beginning of tax season. For many, income tax preparation can be an overwhelming process.

What tax credits am I eligible for? What if I make a mistake?

There are plenty of services that can prepare your taxes for you, but if you’re on a limited budget, that might not be an option. Did you know that ACSET Community Action Agency (CAA) provides free income tax preparation and filing for qualifying residents of Kent County?

According to the IRS, last year in the State of Michigan, $2 billion dollars was received by low-income workers in the form of the Earned Income Tax Credit or EITC. This averaged out to $2,488 in tax refunds per qualifying household. However, it is estimated that 20% of eligible workers in the United States do not claim the EITC. Are you one of those missing out on a larger tax refund?

To benefit from the EITC, you must file a tax return for 2016. If you are not sure where to begin, the CAA Tax Preparation Assistance program can help. The program was developed to increase the number of low-income families receiving the EITC.

Want to know if you qualify for a larger refund in 2017?

Find out if you meet the EITC basic qualifications. Visit the EITC website to learn more.
See if your income meets the limits required by the program. Visit the IRS website to find out the 2016 tax year limits.
Contact ACSET CAA’s Tax Preparation Assistance program at 616-336-4000 for additional assistance.

Your Community in Action! is provided by ASCET Community Action Agency. To learn more about how they help meet emergency needs and assist with areas of self-sufficiency, visit www.communityactionkent.org.

Your Community in Action!

By Area Community Services Employment & Training Council (ACSET)

Each year, communities across the country conduct a point-in-time (PIT) count of homeless individuals. On January 27, 2016, the PIT count for Kent County was 800 persons. While the majority of the homeless were in transitional or emergency shelter that particular evening, over 5% were identified as being unsheltered. This means they were sleeping without shelter in the harsh winter weather.

Our community has many shelters, serving hundreds of people each year. Every winter they are faced with an urgent need to prevent frostbite, hypothermia and even death among our homeless population. ‘Tis the season to give, so here are some ways you can help.

Emergency Shelter – Warming centers and emergency overnight shelters provide temporary protection from extreme weather. A list of resources in downtown Grand Rapids can be found here. If you see someone on the streets in freezing temperatures, contact the Heart of West Michigan United Way’s 2-1-1 database by calling 2-1-1 or 1-800-887-1107 to get help.
Give Winter Gear – shelters will accept donations of warm winter clothing, including thermal underwear, boots, coats, hats and gloves. Or you can contact a shelter to see if they have any specific needs. Again, 2-1-1 is a great resource to find a shelter near you.
Volunteer – Most shelters and homeless programs are busiest during the winter months and could use more help. Contact a shelter near you to learn more about volunteer opportunities.
Donate – Because this is the busiest time of year for shelters, they are using more. If you typically make an end-of-year donation, consider a monetary gift to a local shelter. You may even be able to set up a recurring donation so you keep giving throughout the year.
Advocate – Advocacy means using your voice to address the root causes of homelessness, such as access to affordable housing. Whether you generate awareness on social media or make a call to your legislators about the issue, using your voice is an inexpensive way to help fight homelessness.