Media Advisory

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March 28, 2007

What

Free tax preparation is still available for low-to moderate-income residents through the fourth annual Earn It! Keep It! Save It! (EKS) Contra Costa Campaign. EKS helps qualifying families and individuals claim refunds owed to them, such as federal Earned Income Tax (EITC) and Child Care credits. For more information on EKS or what documents to bring, visit: cchealth.org or call 800-358-8832.

Where & When

Tax services are available at 12 Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites throughout Contra Costa. Asset management information and language interpreters are available at some sites. VITA site locations, times and dates are:

Antioch: Opportunity Junction (formerly OPTIC), 3102 Delta Fair Blvd., 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Saturdays until April 14. (Appointments only)

Bay Point: Bay Point Works, 3105 Willow Pass Road, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Mondays - Fridays until April 13 (Appts. only).

Pittsburg: EBW Career Center, 415 Railroad Avenue, 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays until April 12.

Oakley: St. Anthony's Catholic Church, 971 O'Hara Avenue, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Saturdays until April 14.

Brentwood: EBW Career Center, 281 Pine Street, 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays until April 4.

Concord: Independent Living Resource, 3200 Clayton Road, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Saturdays, 5 - 8 p.m. Wednesdays until April 14; Catholic Charities Family Service Center, 3540 Chestnut Avenue, 4 - 8 p.m. Mondays, Thursdays until April 12; EBW Career Center, 4071 Port Chicago Hwy, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Saturdays until April 14.

Richmond: Community Housing Development Corp. of N. Richmond, Senior Community Room, 1555 Third Street, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Saturdays until April 14; Police Activities League, 2200 Macdonald Avenue, 10 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays until April 14 (Appts only); Pullman Point Community Room, 2989 Pullman Avenue, 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays until April 12 (Appts only).

San Pablo: San Pablo EBW Career Center, 2300 El Portal Drive, 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. Wednesdays, Fridays, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Saturdays until April 14.

Who

Depending on family size, households earning $39,000 or less can receive up to $4,536 in EITC tax refunds. Last year, EKS helped 1,987 families and individuals claim $2.5 million in refunds.

EKS is sponsored by the Family Economic Security Partnership (FESP), a public, private and nonprofit collaboration including Contra Costa Employment and Human Services Department, Contra Costa Health Services, United Way of the Bay Area, First Five Contra Costa, IRS, and East Bay Community Foundation.

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