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Like many Americans, residents of Philadelphia’s Germantown section consider income tax season as the most dreaded time of year. In 2010, however, most U.S. citizens will enjoy an increased refund thanks to the Recovery Act recently implemented by the Obama Administration…and increase that pleases many in Germantown.
U.S. Vice President Joe Biden announced recently that the average tax refund jumped by ten percent because of the Tax Recovery Act. This legislation focuses on giving tax credits to working families, first time home buyers, people making energy-efficient improvements on their homes, and people who purchased a new car last year.
In an article on abcnews.com entitled Average American Tax Refund Up Ten Percent Thanks to Recovery Act Benefits, IRS Commission Douglas Shulman also touts the Recovery Act’s efficiency. He says the plan has boosted 2010’s average tax refund to around $3,036, which is up $266 from a year ago.
When talking to Germantown residents to see if they saw unexpected increases in their refunds this year and if so, what they plan on doing with the extra cash many voiced a variety of opinions including their thoughts on the Obama Administration’s use of stimulus funds to aid the country’s unstable economy.
Tarik Reed says he saw an increase in his tax return, “It could have went to better things but most of mine went to bills,” he says. He also iterated that he would have rather had a stimulus check mailed to him like the Bush Administration did in 2008, “It would have been better to have it in a separate check.”
“I saw a $250 increase in my tax refund this year,” says Dwayne Medley, who was very pleased about this increase. He plans to save his refund for his son, who will be graduating from a local high school in the spring.
Germantown resident Danielle Harris says her daughter’s age bracket prevented her from receiving a heftier refund this year, but she has found assistance in Obama’s aid to the unemployed. “The only stimulus that I can agree with right now is for the unemployment; that has been a big help.”
Nicole Hancock, didn’t receive a tax return this year due to unemployment, but she says she found assistance in a program geared to help renters. “I think it’s [Obama Administration] doing a perfectly good job – it gives people hope. People need help in all areas.”
Sheila D. Miller says, “I got a small increase, it wasn’t much, but a dollar’s a dollar.” She used a portion of her return for a good cause, “I did donate to [Haiti] – I helped one friend of mine, we raised $400 dollars to help bring her family back from [Haiti].” The other part she is saving to make ends meet at home. “I can stretch a dollar ‘til it holler,” she jokes.”
With the April 15th deadline quickly approaching, Germantown residents who haven’t yet filed can find valuable resources in the neighborhood and through local university-based programs. A good place to start is the Lovett Memorial Library (6945 Germantown Ave., 215-685-2095), where librarian Patricia Leaming says filers can find every resource needed to successfully complete the filing process. “All tax forms are available here from the Internal Revenue Service, including forms for children [and] education, adjustments. And you can make copies right here.”
Local H&R Block (6622 Germantown Ave., 215-991-5650) owner Dorothy Boykin says her business is offering free tax preparations for people receiving unemployment benefits. “A lot of people have filed for unemployment within the last few years of the recession. We offered to prepare tax returns for free in those cases where there is unemployment compensation. As far as seeing an increase or not in tax returns, it’s about half that have seen it and half that haven’t. Most people are just happy they didn’t owe.”
Another helpful resource during tax season is Temple University’s joint programming with the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA), which offers free tax preparation for household incomes of $50,000 or less, a personal income of $20,000 or less and to people who cannot prepare their own tax returns. Temple’s Main Campus also features the Resources Builder Program, where clients can apply for public benefits or have their tax returns deposited into a savings account or savings bond. Certified student volunteers from Drexel University’s LeBow College of Business in partner with VITA are also available through April 15.
To check the status of your refund you may want to check out the many resources found on IRS.gov. There you’ll find an online tool that allows you to check on the status of your refund information, which can be available up to 72 hours after IRS acknowledges receipt of an e-filed return. And to expedite refund check return, Douglas Shulman suggests filing taxes online. “Taxpayers should also remember that the fastest, best way to get their tax refund is by filing electronically with direct deposit.”
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