The Sierra Nevada Regional Department of Child Support Services (SNRDCSS) has wrapped up another successful year of free Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA). For the seventh consecutive year from mid-January to April 15th, dedicated SNRDCSS staff members switched gears and expanded services to provide tax preparation assistance to the low to moderate income families and individuals in our community. For the 2018 tax filing season, SNRDCSS assisted in the filing of 245 returns, an increase of 38 percent over the number of filings processed for 2017. In addition to those filed returns, SNRDCSS also assisted additional members of our community with filing extensions or past years' tax returns.
The success of this program relies on collaborative partnerships with Connecting Point (211), the Department of Social Services, and the local AARP Foundation. Year after year, these partners play a role in helping SNRDCSS bring awareness of the State and Federal Earned Income Tax Credits (EITC) to our community. For 2018, the Federal EITC ranged from $2 to $6,431 and the California State EITC ranged from $2 to $2,879. The total dollar amount of State refunds processed was $43,819 and federal refunds processed equaled $211,547.
SNRDCSS looks forward to serving the community during the 2019 tax year and hopes to help even more community members. Each year our program grows just by word of mouth, so please share news of this beneficial service with friends and family members that may benefit next year. Thank you to Nevada County employees Sharon Hicks, Jennifer Jones, Renee Quimby and Mechelle Morgan as well as our collaborative partners for taking on this additional duty and ensuring the continuation of this valuable service.
