“You may find a site near you between now and April using the VITA Locator Tool on the IRS website or call 800-906-9887. Iowa residents also may call 211 to locate sites,” said Joyce Lash, an extension family finance specialist.

The focus of the volunteer service is to ensure that low- to moderate-income taxpayers file the necessary forms to receive tax credits that can benefit families financially.

“Individuals can’t receive Earned Income Tax Credits or Child Tax Credits if they complete the 1040EZ tax form to report income from a W-2. But professional services to prepare a 1040 form with itemized deductions and a state return may cost an average of $200,” Lash said.

Through VITA, volunteers who are certified to prepare tax returns help families maximize their tax return and benefit from the added savings of using the free service. Last year VITA services supported by ISU Extension and Outreach prepared 1,600 returns, Lash said.

Individuals who wish to file their own returns also can use Free File, available at the IRS website, www.irs.gov.

“If your income is at or below $57,000 you can use free software to submit your federal return electronically. The software is being offered through a partnership agreement between the IRS and commercial tax software companies,” Lash added.

-30-

“Whether your goal is to save more, pay down debt, give more to charity or have more money for a certain type of spending, being in control of your money is the key,” said Barb Wollan, an ISU Extension and Outreach family finance specialist.

Instructions for enrolling in the course are online at http://www.extension.iastate.edu/families/take-control.

“The Web course does not tell you how you should use your money – that decision is yours,” Wollan said. “The focus is on equipping your household to reach your goals, whatever they may be.”

Take Control of Your Money provides tools for clarifying goals and priorities and evaluating current spending patterns, Wollan explained. Participants will learn how to develop a spending plan that works toward their goals and can try a variety of tools that can help them follow their plan, including Excel spreadsheets, online tools and paper and pencil techniques. Additional information is provided on special topics such as dealing with debt, building financial security and family communication about money. The course also includes reading material as well as mini-lessons that can be completed in 3-10 minutes on several topics.

“Take Control of Your Money is designed for you to use at your own pace. You can pick and choose the topics that will be most useful to you,” Wollan said. She suggests sticking with the course for at least a month, to allow time to fully try out the tools and practice the strategies, but noted, “you can move through the content as quickly as you wish.”

For more information, visit the Take Control of Your Money website, http://www.extension.iastate.edu/families/take-control.

-30-