CNSC's 33rd year of VITA Service came to an end on March 31, 2007, where a finale celebration was held to show gratitude for all volunteers' help throughout the season. We had nearly 60 volunteers throughout the tax season who devoted their Saturdays in assisting low-income individuals/families, seniors, and people with disabilities.

In cooperation with CNSC staff and volunteers, our center filed approximately 1,350 tax returns for the 2006 tax season. Going along with the trend with the Internal Revenue Service, CNSC electronically filed approximately 950 tax returns, surpassing year 2005's record of 250 tax returns. CNSC filed more than 600 tax returns claiming the newly introduced Telephone Excise Tax Refund this year.

If anyone hasn't filed their 2006 tax returns yet, CNSC will be holding extra drop-in tax return filing days at the following locations:

1. East West Bank, San Francisco Chinatown Branch
   1241 Stockton St. , 2nd Floor
   April 7, 2007 & April 14, 2007
   9:00am - 1:30pm
   Anita K. Wong
   (415) 433-1533
2. East West Bank, San Francisco Geary Branch
   4355 Geary Blvd.
   April 7, 2007 & April 14, 2007
   9:00am - 1:30pm
   Daniel Chan
   (415) 750-2800

For more information, please contact Chinese Newcomers Service Center via phone (415) 421-2111 ext. 697.

CNSC will be providing free tax return filing service on Saturdays, February 3, 2007 until April 7, 2007, from 9:00AM - 2:30PM. Chinese Newcomers Service Center is a member of United Way 's Earn It! Keep It! Save It! Coalition and Tax-Aid, where we will be providing the following services for the community:

• Free tax-filing services (Form 1040)
• Helping eligible clients claim EITC (Earned Income Tax Credit)
• Helping eligible clients claim WFC ( Working Families Credit)
• Claiming the Telephone Excise Tax refund
• Access a new checking account for clients who are first-time checking account holders

CNSC helps low-income families and residents of the greater Bay Area file their income taxes with electronic filing (E-filing) as well as paper filing. Our center is actively promoting E-filing this year due their efficiency to retrieve tax refunds for clients two weeks after filing. In support of the E-filing service, Wells Fargo Bank donated 15 computers to CNSC to expand and strengthen this service. In addition, our center will be introducing the new Telephone Excise Tax refund, where qualified filers may receive $30-$60 of tax refund from their long distance telephone bill.

For a full description of the program, please refer to the flyers posted above, or call (415) 421-2111 Ext.697.