Low-income families can benefit from free tax clinics throughout the city

The Mayor’s Office and its non-profit, corporate and community partners have joined to launch the Boston Earned Tax Credit Campaign to provide free tax clinics to low-income residents.

One of the city’s highest performing locations is at the Codman Square Health Center at 450 Washington St.

The site will run the free tax clinics on Mondays and Wednesdays from 4 to 9 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will take clients on a walk-in and first come, first serve basis.

As on of the top performing sites in the EITC campaign, the Codman Square tax site has returned 3 million dollars to taxpayers in the Dorchester neighborhood in 2013.

The EITC program is a federal initiative to encourage low-income taxpayers to file their taxes at free sites where tax prepares can provide assistance in under claimed credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit.

The government recognizes that low paying jobs often don’t pay living wage, so these tax credits help low-income taxpayers maximize their refund, according to a press release from the Codman Square Health Center.

If a taxpayer works and earns under a certain amount, which varies based on income and number of dependents, then federal tax law allows for a credit to provide additional funds for taxpayers who qualify. The credits are geared towards single parents, especially those with younger children.

It is one of the most effective anti-poverty programs in the country, the press release said.

Volunteers largely run the Codman Square site. As one of the busiest locations, the site always has a need for additional volunteers.

If interested in volunteering to help with the Tax Clinics, visit mydorchester.org/volunteer or contact Avada Douglas at avada.douglas@dotwell.org.

In addition to the Codman Square Tax Clinic site there are a number of additional sites throughout Dorchester and Boston. Visit www.bostontaxhelp.org for more information.