Tax time

Whether you have a professional prepare your income tax return or you just do it yourself, there are a couple credits out there applicable to low-income workers.

Low- and moderate-income workers may be eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). In order to qualify, a taxpayer must have had earned income from employment or self-employment. The EITC does not affect qualification for social services such as SSI, food stamps, and Medicaid. Click here to learn more about the maximum allowable incomes based on family size.

The Making Work Pay credit was incorporated as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Individuals may be eligible for a credit up to $400, while married couples may receive up to $800 back. Those who received a $250 Economic Recovery Payment will have their credit reduced by that same amount. (Social Security recipients, for example, received an Economic Recovery Payment.) Pensioners don't qualify unless they earned income last year.

Please keep these two credits in mind not only for yourselves this tax season, but for your respective service populations as well.

Also, if you do choose to prepare your own taxes, be sure to visit the IRS website first for a list of Free File online preparers who provide free services for those with an adjusted gross income less than $57,000.

Help our drive to support Sioux Falls Food Pantry!

Do you have an extra box of cereal or an extra toothbrush?

As part of our ongoing '40 Days of Peace' project to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr., we are hosting a drive to support the Sioux Falls Food Pantry. Our third event theme, 'Add GOOD DEEDS,' was our inspiration to host a food/personal care item drive.

Bring a non-perishable food item or personal care item to Volunteers of America, Dakotas' Bowden Youth Center on 430 W. 11th Street in Sioux Falls. Come for a free meal and to listen to our speaker, John Beranek. The event starts at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 13.

Not sure what to bring? Here are some ideas:

• Non-perishable food
• Cold Cereal – Bags or Boxes
• Hamburger & Tuna Helpers
• Meats & Stews – Canned
• Saltine Crackers – 16 oz boxes
• Snacks & Cookies – Packaged
• Chips – Packaged
• Grape Jelly
• Peanut Butter – 18 oz jars
• Vegetables & Fruits – Canned
• Personal Care Items
• Toothpaste & Brushes
• Deodorant
• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Skin lotion
• Hard Soap

Thank you to the sponsors of our '40 Days of Peace' project!
- AmeriCorpsVISTA (website)
- HELP!Line Center (website)
- Serve and Learn Student Association (SALSA) (website)
- Senior Companions of South Dakota (website)
- Siouxland Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) (website)
- Volunteers of America, Dakotas (website)

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Learn more about the Sioux Falls Pantry...
417 N. Phillips Avenue
Sioux Falls, SD 57104
Phone: (605) 335-6921
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