Congratulations!

The Step Up To Leadership class of 2011 is graduating today, Monday, June 2. Congratulations to all who completed this great training opportunity.

Contact Wayne Dietrich, dietrichw@missouri.edu, University of Missouri Extension, SW Region Community Development Specialist or Zana Schafer, stone1@oacac-caa.org, Stone County OACAC, to see if you quality for next year's classes.

Quick Books Class Coming

Don't miss this chance on the QuickBooks class!

Best Wishes to Lesli Bruce~

Lesli Bruce, our Administrative Assistant, for the last three years (almost) has taken a different job and is no longer at the TCRC.

Many of you know that Lesli had started a part time job at KRZK in Branson. They originally told her she would be part time (30 hours a week) for 3 months. Today (March 17) they told her they wanted her to go to full time tomorrow. So, this was her last day- I know everyone joins me in wishing her the very best and thanking her for a job well done!

We will really miss her at the TCRC.

Free Tax Help Offered at VITA Sites

Many workers could be eligible for a special tax credit this year. They may claim the Earned income Tax Credit (EITC) if they earned less than $48,362.Eligible workers can get up to $5,600 but they must file federal income tax returns and claim the EITC credit. According to Annette FitzGerald, family financial educator with MU Extension, “Many taxpayers will qualify for the first time this year due to economic changes in their incomes.”

To qualify for free tax preparation, taxpayers must work and earn less than $48,362. Appointments are required for tax preparation at VITA sites. Taxes are filed electronically and returns are back within two weeks. All taxpayers are required to bring social security cards for each dependent, W-2 from all employers, interest income, unemployment compensation income, deposit slip and relevant child care or tuition expenses.

Area residents can get help with free tax preparation with basic income tax returns at Volunteer Income Tax Assistant (VITA) sites in Christian, Stone and Taney Counties beginning Jan. 31 – April 15, 2011. The VITA sites are sponsored by the University of Missouri Extension and community partners.

Call 888-504-0443 to make appointments for free tax preparation at Taney County VITA Sites.
• Taney County MU Extension Center, 122 Felkins Avenue, Forsyth, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday.
• Taney County OACAC,610 South 6th St, Branson, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., on Mondays and Tuesdays.
• College of the Ozarks, FAC (Home Ec. Building), Point Lookout, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Call 417-272-8508 to make appointment for free tax preparation at the Stone County VITA sites.
• Stone County OACAC Center, 100944 E. Hwy 76, Lower level, Branson West, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Thursdays.
• TCRC- Reeds Spring High School, 20277 WHY 413, Reeds Spring, Mo., 9 a.m. to 3p.m., Wednesdays.
• Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Call 417-581-3558 to make appointment for free tax preparation at the Christian County VITA site.
• Christian County MU Extension Center, 105 North Second St. Ozark, MO, 9 a.m to noon.

Get Help With Your Taxes- FREE!

January 19, 2011, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm: Taxpayer Education Session- PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED, call 417-272-8707

Annette Fitzgerald, University of Missouri extension family financial education specialist in Taney county, will answer questions such as:

• How to choose a Tax Return Preparer and Avoind Preparer Fraud
• Tax Credits for home buyers
• E-file, free file and other electronic options for 2010
• Free tax help available from the IRS
• Reporting bank and financial accounts
• More...

VITA- Volunteer Income Tax Assistance- available Wednesdays, February 2 - April 13 at Tri-Lakes TCRC, contact Annette Fitzgerald, fitzgeralda@missouri.edu or call 417-546-4431 for more information and times.