The City of Detroit and community partners came together at Wayne Metro in Detroit yesterday to encourage people to fill out their taxes this year to access credits and money.

The organizations are offering IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, or VITA services, for households making less than $67,000 a year. That means people can file their income tax for free if they are eligible. 

Nikhil Patel, Deputy CFO and treasurer at the city of Detroit, says many people may not file a tax return out of fear the IRS will take away money, or due to the daunting income tax filing process. 

“So while other people may have their own CPAs that they can go to, this service through Accounting Aid Society, United Way, and Wayne Metro fills that gap,” he says, referring to coalition partners who will file the taxes. 

Avec O’Brien, chief financial officer at United Way for Southeastern Michigan, says the refund goes back to people’s pockets but also helps the community. 

“Money that our families are using, then to buy goods, to engage in services that in the end and result in making our economy, our local economy, bloom and thrive. So it helps all of us. We are a community,” she said. 

Megan Thibos is the director of community impact innovation at the United Way for Southeastern Michigan. She says the coalition hopes to serve people who may not be aware that they are eligible for tax credits or returns.

“As a whole, the coalition, last year served about 24,000 people in the metro area and put more than $26 million into the pockets of Detroiters and Metro Detroiters. So that’s between the two agencies combined,” she said.

Thibos says each year about 20% of people eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit do not file and claim that money.

The coalition is working with volunteer accountants to file tax returns for eligible people.

Thibos says last year the community organizations served about 24,000 people in the area and put more than $26 million into the pockets of Metro Detroiters.

 “There’s tens of millions of dollars that are being left on the table in our region every single year,” she said.

Priscilla Perkins, president and CEO of Accounting Aid Society, says that accounting services through the coalition are available in Arabic, Spanish, Bengali, and other languages through coalition partners. 

“We could not serve the thousands we serve each tax season without the help of well-trained volunteers that come through the IRS. So we are reputable. We have been here at Accounting Aid Society for 53 years doing this good work,” she said.

Perkins says the free accounting services hope to lower barriers for people to file their return. She says the typical refund is about $1,500 on average. 

She says her organization also has a Low Income Taxpayer Clinic. 

“If you are behind on your taxes and you’re fearful, we have a process. Assess to help you, you can come in, sit down and consult with one of our expert individuals who can look at your back taxes, help you manage fees and fines from audits,” she said.

Matthew Hetherwick, chief program officer at Accounting Aid Society, says they are working with community organizations to spread the word about their free services.

“Those partners are in various parts of our community that serve different populations, different neighborhoods. So whether they’re a block, club, community development organization, or service organization, we share the information with them, oftentimes in a native language that would be understandable for somebody who is not speaking English firsthand,” he said.

Hetherwick says the nonprofit is also looking for more volunteer accountants. People can sign up for the last training, scheduled for Feb. 8, at accountingaidsociety.org. 

The nonprofit works year-round — as people can file their taxes up to four years later — to receive refunds. 

“We do encourage to get in as early as possible. But we’re here. We’re not just going to close up shop in April and disappear. We’re here to support and help people,” he said.

Community partners say even if you’re unsure whether you should file a return or you don’t owe money, you can still schedule an appointment to learn more by calling 2-1-1 or by visiting getthetaxfacts.org to schedule an appointment before April 15.