Tax Programs May Mean ‘Free Money’: Virtual Workshop In Newark

NEWARK, NJ — The following news release comes courtesy of the United Way of Greater Newark. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.

Tax season is just around the corner and United Way of Greater Newark wants to make sure that Newark residents are aware of all programs available to help prepare them to get the most out of their tax returns and other wealth-building programs.

On Monday, Jan. 23, the United Way is teaming up with the City of Newark via the Newark Movement for Economic Equity, the Newark Asset Building Coalition, and the Newark People’s Assembly to host a free virtual event titled “Money Talks: Public Policies and Programs Empowering New Jersey’s Communities” from noon to 1 p.m. The live stream will be available via the City of Newark’s Facebook Live (https://www.facebook.com/CityofNewark) and will go over a variety of programs at the statewide and county level that are available to residents of Newark, Essex County, and the entire state.

“As tax season approaches, residents in our community are rightfully thinking about their finances,” United Way of Greater Newark President & CEO Catherine Wilson said. “We want to take this opportunity and platform to speak with our residents about the wide array of programs available to help them save money. Financial stability is a crucial piece in disrupting the cycle of poverty and we want to help residents reach that stability by making them aware of the financial benefits they may be eligible for.”

The program will be hosted by Kaleena Berryman, Co-Program Manager for the Newark Movement for Economic Equity, with United Way of Greater Newark Director of Financial Stability Danielle Corea-Smith, Executive Director of the United Community Corporation Craig Mainor, United Community Corporation LIHEAP Director Patricia Vallejo, Senior Stakeholder Relationship Tax Consultant from the IRS Jacqueline Piper, Director of The Family Resource Success Center at the New Community Corporation JoAnn Williams-Swiney, and Program Manager of the Financial Opportunity Center at the Ironbound Community Corporation Tamara Brown, serving as panelists.

The session will cover a variety of topics including the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program, which will have all program sites operational by Monday, Jan. 30. There will be seven locations around the greater Newark area, and can be accessed digitally at https://www.nabcnj.org/newark-free-tax-prep/. Monday’s session will provide insight into this program and shed light on income and eligibility for the State Child Tax Credit. Sticking with the theme of taxes, the panel will provide information regarding the Affordable New Jersey Communities for Homeowners and Renters (ANCHOR) Tax Program, which offers $450-$1,5000 back to eligible homeowners and renters, and the ITIN Holders Direct Assistance Program, which allows undocumented individuals to apply and renew their Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) with eligible ITIN Taxpayers to receive $500 per person.

“There are great programs available but people don’t know about them,” Corea-Smith said. “The City of Newark is the key mechanism to spreading the word and reaching the community. We want to provide residents with information about these important services that can help them build their wealth and recognize credits and programs that they qualify for.”

The session will not only tackle tax assistance and credits. It will also touch on secondary education support. Community College Opportunity Grants offer free tuition at community colleges in New Jersey for eligible students and the Garden State Guarantee offers two years of paid tuition at four-year in-state New Jersey institutions of higher education for eligible students.

“This is a moment of opportunity in New Jersey," Berryman said. "Get informed, spread the word and take full advantage of the resources that are available. The time is now.”

For more information about Monday’s workshop, contact Corea-Smith at unitedwaygn@uwnewark.org. To tune into the session on Monday, Jan. 23 visit https://www.facebook.com/CityofNewark for the Live Stream beginning at noon.

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