February 2019

The Community Service Activist Training Classes have begun for UAW Local 4911 and local area unions.  A wealth of information will be passed on to our members via the Worker to Worker and also the Lansing Labor News editions.  Please take advantage of the FREE programs which our community has to offer to help increase your knowledge and take advantage of the resources which will enable you to achieve your financial goals and help our citizens in our communities as well.
Free Tax Assistance
In 1973, the IRS began an initiative to provide income tax services for FREE.  You are able to take advantage of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program if your household meets the qualification of earning $55,000 or less.
This program serves the three surrounding counties of Clinton, Eaton and Ingham counties with its focus on helping families/households to gain financial education.  Last year, this program prepared 3,600 tax returns which saved families over $600,000+ in tax preparation fees while families received $4.5 million in refunds.
To sign up to get your taxes done, you will need an appointment.  Simply call
2-1-1 to schedule your appointment or 1-866-561-2500 if you have questions or wish to have assistance to determine your eligibility.  You may request a list of the required documents to take to your appointment as well.  
For more information, visit:   www.micauw.org/free-tax-help
                Prepare Your Own Taxes?
Myfreetaxes.com is available if you earned $66,000 or less.  Call 2-1-1 for more information, or visit www.myfreetaxes.com if you are inclined to prepare your own taxes.
Managing Your Money
The City of Lansing has an excellent resource called the Financial Empowerment Center to help you work through financial challenges and achieve your goals.  (For example: Decreasing expenses – track your spending for 30 days, reduce energy  expenses, reduce housing expenses, renegotiate minimum payments or interest rates, and much more!)  If you, a co-worker, friend, family member, etc., would like FREE financial assistance, call 517-483-4550 to schedule an appointment.  They provide excellent programs which teach FREE one-on-one financial education to help you increase your knowledge and skills.  Please take advantage of the various resources/tools offered by Financial Empowerment Center to help you learn how to manage your money.  Trained staff have helped 4,000 people decrease their debt by $7.7 million while increasing their savings by $650,000.  For more information, go to www.lansingmi.gov/ofe