Easy As PIE: January 2016

With the tax season here, we once again find ourselves dreading the paper pushing and number crunching that comes with tax preparation. But, let’s not forget the excitement that comes with getting back some of your own hard-earned money in the form of a tax refund. Saving a portion of your tax refund can be a big step toward meeting your savings goals, so it’s no surprise that a 2015 tax season survey found that a majority of those who receive a refund planned to save it.

Families participating in the Personal Investment Enterprise (PIE) Program can use their refund to make a savings deposit up to $500 in order to reach their savings goal of homeownership, business or education.

This tax season, reward yourself for saving some of your refund by entering for a chance to win $25,000 through SaveYourRefund.

SaveYourRefund has 101 cash prizes, including 100 weekly prizes of $100 and one grand prize of $25,000. Making smart financial decisions isn’t always easy, but splitting your refund couldn’t be simpler. Follow these quick and easy steps to enter to win in 2016:

Use Form 8888 to split your refund. Entry to win with SaveYourRefund starts with splitting your refund into savings.
Save $50 or more of your tax refund. In order to enter, use Form 8888 to save at least $50. There are a number of accounts you can save into including a savings account, a U.S. Treasury Direct account (savings bond), and a myRA retirement account.
Visit saveyourrefund.com to enter. You will be automatically eligible to win one of ten $100 prizes that will be given away every week from the start of the contest until the end of tax season.
Upload a picture here that represents your savings goal or motivation, and you’ll be entered to win the $25,000 grand prize!

Need tax assistance? Take advantage of a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. VITA programs offer free tax help to those who generally make $53,000 or less, persons with disabilities, the elderly, and limited English speakers.

Please see below for a list of free tax preparation sites in Boulder and Broomfield Counties. For additional questions regarding tax preparation sites and tax credits visit: 211 or call 211 from your phone.

AARP – Boulder West Senior Center, 909 Arapahoe Avenue, Boulder, CO 80302

Open 2/1/16 – 4/15/16, Tuesdays and Thursdays 8:30-12:00, By appointment only. Call 303-441-3148.

English and Spanish language available.

2. AARP – Broomfield Senior Center, 280 Lamar Street, Broomfield, CO 80020

Open 2/1/16/- 4/15/16, Fridays 9:30-2:30, By appointment only. Call 303-464-5526

3. Lafayette Library, 775 W. Baseline Road, Lafayette, CO 80026

Open 2/1/16 – 4/15/16, Wednesdays 1-4 PM, By appointment only. Call 303-665-5200, Option 5

4. Longmont Senior Center, 910 Longs Peak Avenue, Longmont, CO 80501

Open 2/1/16-4/15/16, Tuesdays and Thursdays 9 AM – 1 PM, By appointment only. Call 303-774-4429.

English and Spanish language available.

5. Louisville Rec Center, 900 Via Appia Way, Louisville, CO 80027, Open 2/1/16 – 4/15/16

Tuesdays and Fridays. By appointment at 1, 2 or 3 PM. Call 303-666-7400.

6. St. Vrain Valley Credit Union, 2050 Terry Street, Ste. 101, Longmont, CO 80501

Open 2/3/16-4/14/16, Wednesday and Thursdays 6-8:30 PM and Saturdays 9 AM-1 PM

No appointment required. E-mail for questions: [email protected] or visit coloradovita.org or longmontvita.org

7. University of Colorado at Boulder, 995 Regent Drive, Leeds School of Business, Boulder, CO 80309

Open 1/30/16-4/6/16, Wednesdays 5-7 PM, Saturdays 9 AM – 1 PM, No appointment required.

Note: Due to limited staffing and high volume please arrive as early as possible. Those arriving late might be rescheduled for another day. Questions? Call: 720-936-4258.

Tammy Greynolds works for America Saves, managed by the nonprofit Consumer Federation of America (CFA), which seeks to motivate, encourage, and support low- to moderate-income households to save money, reduce debt, and build wealth. Learn more at America Saves.

The Personal Investment Enterprise Program, a partnership between Foothills United Way and Boulder County Community Action Programs, provides tools that empower low-income individuals and families to save and build assets to strengthen their economic stability. To learn more about the program visit bouldercountypie.org. The first step in applying to the program is to attend an orientation meeting with Nino Gallo at Community Action Programs at Boulder County. Nino may be reached at 303-441-3998 or at [email protected].

Tax time Tools and Resources: