Thursday, December 29, 2011

Lakes & Prairies Free Tax Site open

The Lakes & Prairies Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program has opened its doors for  Minnesota individuals and families.  This year, in addition to the Moorhead location, one day a week assistance will be available in Barnesville, Breckenridge and Hawley.   -- all by appointment.

You are eligibile to access this service if you:
  • Are a Minnesota resident,
  • Have an income at or below $30,000 for an individual or $50,000 for a family, and
  • Do NOT operate your own small business or work as an independent contractor.
How to make an appointment:

Tax preparation appointments can be made by calling 218-299-7000 or toll free 800-452-3646 anytime weekdays from 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.   Please note, no walk-in appointments are available.  All appointments must be scheduled in advance.  Please be sure to have all your W-2s and other required paperwork..  

Locations and Times:  

What to Bring:

Severe Weather Cancellations:  When there is a possibility that weather conditions may result in a cancellation of appointments, we will try to call you.  We also encourage you to call us or visit this Blog from our Lakes & Prairies Home page.

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Group Workcamp Repairs Homes and Mends Lives - Check for updates

Wednesday, July 20th -- Lakes & Prairies is now in its 3rd day of bringing supplies to the homes of those whose homes will be repaired beginning next week.  Already, paint, lumber and other materials have been brought to homes in Breckenridge, Ulen, Hawley and Glyndon.  Still to go are Dilworth, Moorhead and Barnesville.  As supplies are being brought to the homes, yard signs are being placed.  If you are driving through one of the communities you'll see our signs at 47 locations.... that's where the campers and local volunteers will be from July 25th through July 29th.  Thank you volunteers, staff and project donors!

Friday, February 18, 2011

Tax Site Volunteers Refund $1.2 million!

What do you get when 35 volunteers, join forces with a team of Lakes & Prairies staff?

On Thursday, February 24, Lakes & Prairies Tax Site Volunteers completed their 440th tax filing this tax season resulting in federal and state refunds of $1,210,722. It is estimated that the Tax Site will surpass the $1,293,000 that was reached last year on April 19th.
But there is more than refunds to this story.  To date:
  • 283 filers have participated in the Bridge to Benefits analysis screening tool where it has been determined that more than 100 households appeared eligible for one or more of the benefit programs including: MN Care, Energy Assistance, MN Food Support, Child Care Assistance, WIC and the free or reduced school lunch program.
  • Filers with young children were also given information or invited to complete forms for Head Start enrollment and the United Way of Cass Clay's Imagination Library program that provides age appropriate books, monthly, to children from birth to their 5th birthday.
  • 95 filers, many of whom were unbanked, signed up for a low-fee debit card program allowing electronic filing and receive e-refunds. The AccelaPay Debit Card option allows for expedited refunds and gives opportunity for such services as direct deposit and guaranteed, secure checks because the debit cards do not allow overdrafts.
  • Households also were able to have their taxes prepared at outreach locations in Hawley (Clay County - at the REACH office ) and Breckenridge (Wilkin County - at the library).
SAVINGS:  With a conservative estimate of an average savings of $150 cost per family for tax preparation, low and moderate income filers saved more than $66,000 in fees through this free service.  In addition, with free filing, many low income filers saved many more dollars by avoiding the high predatory fees associated with Refund Anticipation Loans.

SUPPORTERS:  This effort could not have been achieved without the funding support of West Central Initiative, Fergus Falls, with Family Economic Success and Rural Tax Site Outreach grants.  This support, was joined with Minnesota Community Action Grant (CAG) dollars and a competitive grant from the MN Department of Revenue

OUR THANKS:  Our thanks to program staff including Child Care Resource & Referral for sharing their office space allowing for this growth in service, Family & Community Services staff for their help in training, and Head Start staff for getting word out to families with materials, one-on-one contact with parents and providing flyers and other information to parents over the last few months.

We have a big and growing list of THANK YOUs that we are tracking. Partner agencies have helped promote the free VITA tax site, some businesses have donated food for the volunteers,  We'll have more to share in the coming weeks.

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Tax Site Is Open on Tues and Thurs evenings: Call for an appointment.

The Lakes & Prairies Free Tax Site is accepting appointments for Tuesday and Thursday evenings in Moorhead and Monday mornings in Hawley, at the REACH office.To make an appointment call (218) 299-7000 or toll free at (800) 452-3646.  Please see the schedule below for the location and hours of operation in Moorhead and Hawley.
Moorhead: 715 11th St. N,
Tuesdays & Thursdays*January 25th – April 12th, 5 pm – 8 pm
* Also Wednesdays in February

Hawley REACH Office: 421 5th Street,
Every Monday, January 31st— April 11th10 am — 12:30 pm


For more information, including "What To Bring" checklists and other important tax site information go to www.lakesandprairies.net/taxsite.

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Group Workcamp Now Accepting Appliactions



Are you or someone you know in need of Home Repair Assistance?


The Lakes & Prairies Northern Lights Group Workcamp is a community event to repair homes for seniors, persons with disabilities, and those who are experiencing severe hardship that live in Clay and Wilkin Counties.


Some of the types of projects that will be considered include:
  • Wheelchair Ramps
  • Modification of steps or deck for Handicap Accessibility
  • Exterior/Interior Painting
  • Weatherization
  • Installation of Handrails
  • Other similar projects.
Applications are still being accepted. For an application please go here.