Five Questions With: Anne Quinterno

Anne Quinterno is a project manager of economic security at United Way of Rhode Island. The nonprofit this year is hosting several free tax preparation sessions through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Site/Earned Income Tax Credit Initiative. Quinterno, with more than 20 years of experience working with municipal and state government entities, nonprofits and in public policy, talks with Providence Business News about the initiative and what impact it’s having in the state.

PBN: With tax season quickly approaching, United Way of Rhode Island is once again heavily involved in the VITA and EITC initiatives – for those who may be unfamiliar, what are the goals of these efforts?
QUINTERNO:
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program offers free tax preparation help to working families or individuals earning less than $54,000 annually, persons with disabilities and the elderly. The program is offered at sites across the state, each representing a community agency certified by the IRS. At each site, trained and IRS-certified volunteers help taxpayers complete their income tax returns, and many offer services in both English and Spanish. Electronic filing is also available to those who qualify. The effort also determines if people are eligible for the U.S. Federal Earned Income Tax Credit, which is a refundable tax credit for low- to moderate-income working individuals and couples, particularly those with children. As a whole, the initiatives help to ensure people receive the money they are due in tax credits and refunds.

PBN: It’s been said that VITA/EITC is the country’s largest and most effective anti-poverty program. Is this something United Way believes to be accurate? Why or why not?
QUINTERNO:
At United Way, we absolutely believe this to be accurate. Nationwide, the VITA/EITC effort annually pushes billions of dollars into low- and moderate-income working households in the form of tax refunds. For many Americans, and this is also true in Rhode Island, it is the largest financial windfall of the year – a chance to pay off debt, replace a dishwasher or washing machine, or take care of the car repair they have been putting off so they can get to work. But for most, it means catching up on bills. More and more families have come to rely on their tax refund as a significant source of income, particularly as the costs of living increase and they’re struggling to make ends meet. According to the most recent figures available, nearly one in five taxpayers are now eligible for the EITC. Quite simply, the results of these programs form the basis for changing the lives of people who need it most.

PBN: How is United Way directly involved with the local delivery of VITA/EITC?
QUINTERNO:
United Way has been involved with the VITA/EITC initiative for a number of years, partnering with Citizens Bank to financially support the effort’s delivery here in Rhode Island. We help to coordinate and support the sites and volunteers that offer the service directly to those in our communities. Additionally, our 2-1-1 helpline serves as the single number all Rhode Islanders can call to find out if they are eligible for the service and where they can find the site closest to them. And new for this year, we are taking VITA/EITC on the road using our 2-1-1 Outreach RV, bringing the effort directly into communities. We have a number of these pop-up events scheduled through March 12; people can visit www.uwri.org/events to learn more. I just want to add that anyone interested in attending an event must call 2-1-1 to make an appointment and must also meet the program’s eligibility requirements.

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PBN: Why is VITA/EITC an important focus area for United Way and what impact do you see it create statewide? How has it worked in past years?
QUINTERNO:
This is an important area of focus for United Way because one of our core values is to change the lives of Rhode Islanders and strengthen our communities. Providing stability and a path to financial security for an individual or family is central to that value. And by supporting and growing the VITA/EITC program, we are doing just that. Last year alone, 11,500 Rhode Islanders took advantage of VITA/EITC – more than any previous year – and that returned more than $17 million to the state’s economy by way of tax credits and refunds. That’s a huge amount. And since the effort was launched in Rhode Island in 2005, that figure stands at having returned nearly $110 million to working households. As a result, our neighbors can use this money they’ve earned to better take care of their families and provide for their needs.

PBN: What do people need to know or do to benefit from VITA/EITC and United Way’s free tax preparation services?
QUINTERNO:
I would say that the first thing people need to know is that it’s a resource available to them and that they can call 2-1-1 with questions and to find a site in their community that can help. The program is offered to both individuals and married couples filing jointly, with or without children. There are also income guidelines that must be met based on the size of one’s household. And anyone going to a site with an appointment for services must bring the proper documentation: Social Security card(s) for self, spouse and all dependents; picture ID for self and applicable spouse; all 2015 W-2, 1099 and 1095-A forms; copy of 2014 Federal Tax Return if available; child and dependent care expense and Tax Identification Number of care provider; and a checking or savings account number with routing number for direct deposit. I also feel people should realize that the money they receive isn’t a refund in the traditional sense of the word; it’s the return of money to them that they’ve earned by working. These are dollars that work for Rhode Islanders and help to keep Rhode Island working.

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