Governor Announces Free Income Tax Assistance Available Through the Ohio Benefit Bank

Columbus, Ohio - Ohio Governor Ted Strickland announced today that the Governor's Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives has launched a statewide effort to provide free federal and Ohio income tax return assistance to Ohioans with household incomes below $54,000 per year.

The assistance is offered through The Ohio Benefit Bank - a free service that provides help for low and moderate-income Ohioans to claim tax credits and other work support benefits.

"Completing a tax return can often be a complex and time-consuming process. That's why I encourage Ohioans who need assistance to take advantage of the Benefit Bank's tax preparaion services," Strickland said. "Benefit Bank counselors stand ready to help families with their taxes as well as determine their potential eligibility for additional benefits."

Ohio Benefit Bank is offered through a public-private partnership between the Governor's Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, the Ohio Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks and more than 400 faith-based, non-profit, governmental and private-sector partners.

Trained counselors are currently staffing more than 120 Benefit Bank sites and clinics across the state to help prepare and file federal and Ohio income tax returns at no cost to eligible Ohioans. Free income tax assistance is also available through an online, self-service program at www.OBB.Ohio.Gov. Ohio public libraries are also partnering with the Benefit Bank to provide internet access and encourage individuals to utilize the online program.

Ohioans can also check potential eligibility for other work support benefits such as health care coverage, home energy assistance, child care subsidies and food stamps at Benefit Banks sites and clinics or online.

To identify tax assistance services available in local communities or to get additional information on the Benefit Bank, please call 1-800-648-1176 or visit www.OBB.Ohio.Gov.

In less than 18 months of operations, the Benefit Bank has helped more than 7,500 Ohioans claim more than $9 million in tax credits and other work supports.

However, more than $1.6 billion dollars in tax credits and other supports go unclaimed by eligible Ohioans who do not apply. More than 95 percent of these unclaimed funds are federal dollars. This includes more than 165,000 Ohioans who do not claim the Earned Income Tax Credit.

Upcoming Main Library Events

Monday, February 25
OSU Extension
Peanut Butter Possibilities
6:30p.m.

Monday, March 10
OSU Extension
Eggscellent Ideas
6:30p.m.

Saturday, April 12
Author Charles Lux
Presentation & Book Signing
2:00p.m.

Soup Scoop

Sherry Williams of the OSU Extension Office will offer a program about soup and provide many tasty recipes...and samples too!

The program will take place on Thursday, January 24^th at 1:00p.m. in the Community Meeting Room of the Main Library, located at 207 N. Market Street in Waverly. Registration is not required.

Computer Classes

The Garnet A. Wilson Public Library will again be holding computer classes. Basics of Computers classes will be offered and will teach, among other things, turning the computer on and off, using the keyboard and the mouse, and opening and closing programs. This class is for the absolute computer beginner.

In addition, the library will be holding an Internet class. The requirement for this class is a basic knowledge of using the computer, keyboard, and mouse, and opening and closing programs. If you do not possess these basic skills, you will need to start with the “Basics of Computers” class.

An E-mail class will also be available. As with the “Internet” class, the requirement for this class is a basic knowledge of using the computer, keyboard, and mouse, and opening and closing programs. In addition to these requirements, you must also have basic internet skills. If you do not possess these basic skills, you will need to start with the “Basics of Computers” class and/or “Internet” class as appropriate.

All classes are FREE and will be held at the Main Library located at 207 N. Market Street, Waverly. The classes are approximately two hours long, beginning at 5:30p.m. Registration is required for all computer classes, as seating is limited. To register for computer classes, please call the library at 947-4921 and ask for the Reference Desk. Class dates are listed below:

Basics of Computers – Thursday, January 24^th & Thursday, February 14th

Internet - Thursday, January 31^st & Wednesday, February 20^th

Email - Thursday, February 7^th & Thursday, February 28^th

We will be continuing to offer computer classes throughout the year. Future dates will be announced as they are scheduled.