Refund — a six-letter word in minds of millions of Americans who each year have to file their tax returns with the state and federal government by April 15.
An analysis by the New York Times in April 2009 found that in 2007, the average American paid about 32 percent of their income to the government (11 percent to state and local taxes and 21 percent to federal). The National Priorities Project, a Massachusetts-based non-profit organization that analyzes how tax dollars are spent by the federal government on sectors such as the military and the environment, issued a report on American cities and tax dollars that showed that a Jersey City median income family in 2008 paid $3,608 in federal taxes. The U.S. Census 2006-2008 American Community Survey for Jersey City states the family median income in 2008 was $55,894.
“I think I really want the tax break that the federal government is offering.” – Monique Rogers
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Last week, residents shared how filing for this tax season will be a fairly complicated matter for a variety of reasons.
Holding off for housing break
Monique Rogers lives in a downtown Jersey City apartment but is considering a move to a condo in an area near Journal Square. That is one of the factors that are playing a role in her not filing her taxes quite yet.
“I am looking for a condo in the McGinley Square area or in Journal Square,” Rogers said. “I think I really want the tax break that the federal government is offering,”
Rogers is referring to the $8,000 tax credit offered to first-time home buyers by the federal government on homes purchased under a binding contract by May 1.
An employee of the Jersey City Board of Education had a different reason for filing late. He said there was a mistake on his employer’s part in processing his W-2 form, which contains all his salary information necessary to file.
“They only took out Social Security taxes; they didn’t take federal or state taxes,” the unnamed employee said. “They said there is nothing they can do about it, so I will file next year and have to pay money, which I am not happy about.”
A homeowner in the Greenville section of the city for over 30 years said she expected to file her state and federal taxes this year, but there is a major issue she has to resolve. She currently does not work and is on disability.
“I do go to H&R Block and I have filed for a [New Jersey] Homestead Rebate, but I have been told by them not file for a federal tax return,” said the homeowner. “Maybe the IRS owes me money, but my friend says I should question that, and I am seeking out help to take care of this matter.”
Some places for tax help
There are locations that offer the public free assistance in filing their taxes:
• The IRS operates a Taxpayer Assistance Center at 30 Montgomery St. in Jersey City for those whose have a tax problem but want in-person assistance. No appointment is necessary – just walk in. The hours are Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. For more information, call (201) 332-9110.
• The Jersey City Public Library is offering assistance for free with tax filing at the Greenville Branch, 1841 Kennedy Blvd. from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. on Saturday, March 27. The service is provided by the National Association of Black Accountants, Inc., Northern New Jersey Chapter, in association with the state’s Voluntary Income Tax Assistance program (VITA). First come, first served. Contact the branch at (201) 547-4553.
• Legal Services of New Jersey (LSNJ) has its Tax Legal Assistance Project, which can be accessed via its website: http://www.lsnjlaw.org/english/taxes/taxresources/index.cfm or by calling LSNJ’s statewide, toll-free legal hotline, at (888) 576-5529 or 732-572-9100 if you are calling from outside New Jersey. Hotline hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Ricardo Kaulessar can be reached at rkaulessar@hudsonreporter.com.