This year there's been a 600% increase in the number of tax-related calls to 2-1-1, the free, statewide service that puts people in need of assistance in touch with the government, social services and community resources that provide solutions. "I had sensed that we had a lot more calls related to tax preparation assistance and the Earned Income Tax Credit," said Barbara Gallagher, Director of Call Center Operations for the NJ211 Partnership, "but I was astounded to see how substantial the increase really was."
Resource specialists have been assisting clients by providing them with information on tax credits that are available to families earning less than $39,783, as well as tax assistance that was specifically designed to help military families and senior citizens. They have also been providing callers with Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site locations for free tax preparation.
