income

Free Tax Help Clinics Begin Friday

By Katie Pyzyk

Money (file photo)Starting this Friday, Arlington County is holding free clinics to assist residents with tax preparation.

The clinics are intended to serve residents with “low or moderate income.” Several of the clinics are vague about income levels, but others specify a maximum income.

Those seeking assistance must bring a photo ID, social security cards for each family member, earnings statements (W-2, W-2G, and all 1099’s received) and a copy of last year’s federal and state returns. If applicable, participants should also bring interest and dividend statements, daycare expenses paid in 2012, student loan interest payments, a record of any sales tax paid on new vehicles purchased in 2012 and a record of any real estate taxes paid in 2012.

The schedule for the clinics is as follows:

  • Arlington Central Library (1015 N. Quincy Street) — Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m., February 5-April 11. No appointments are necessary, customers are handled on a first-come, first-served basis. Spanish speakers will be available.
  • Columbia Pike Branch Library (816 S. Walter Reed Drive) — Tuesdays from 1:15-7:45 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., February 1-April 13. No appointments are necessary, customers are handled on a first-come, first-served basis. Spanish speakers will be available.
  • Arlington Department of Human Services (2100 Washington Blvd) — Tuesdays from 5:30-7:00 p.m. (or when all available slots are filled), February 5-April 9. No appointments are necessary, customers are handled on a first-come, first-served basis. Maximum income is $35,000 for one person or $51,000 for families. Spanish speakers will be available.
  • ECDC Enterprise Development Group (901 S. Highland Street) — Tuesdays and Fridays from 6:00-9:00 p.m., Saturdays from 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., February 1-April 13. No appointments are necessary, customers are handled on a first-come, first-served basis. Maximum income is $51,000. Spanish speakers will be available.
  • AARP Travel Team — (Only available to people unable to leave their homes.) Call 703-594-6576 to schedule an appointment.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Arlington to Hold Online Snow Chat — Dave Hundelt, Arlington County’s Streets Manager, will be answering questions about snow removal online today (Thursday). The discussion is scheduled from noon to 1:00 p.m. [Facebook]

Metrobus Driver Arrested at Pentagon — A Metrobus driver was arrested by U.S. Marshals at the Pentagon Wednesday morning. The driver, of the 9E Pentagon-Huntington line bus, was wanted in connection with a 2010 murder. [Washington Examiner]

Joe Allbritton Dies — Joe L. Allbritton, owner of Arlington-based WJLA (ABC 7), NewsChannel 8 and Politico, has died. Allbrittion, whose initials are the call letters of WJLA, was 87. [Politico]

Arlington Ranks Sixth in Household Income — Arlington County had a median household income of $98,060 in 2011, which was 5.1 percent higher than a year prior, according to new census figures. Arlington’s 2011 median income is the sixth-highest of all counties in the United States. [Sun Gazette]

Arlington Ranks as #11 ‘Top-Earning Town’ in U.S.

By ARLnow.com

Arlington is the 11th “top-earning town” in the nation, according to a new list compiled by CNN Money.

The ranking is based on Arlington’s $132,580 median family income. Arlington’s median home price is $485,000, according to CNN Money.

Two other D.C. suburbs ranked higher than Arlington. Bethesda, Md. was #1 with a median income of $184,606 and a median home price of $740,000. Ashburn, Va. is #6 with a median income of $146,093 and a median home price of $345,000.

As of 2010, the median annual household income in the U.S. was $50,221, and the median annual household income in Virginia was $59,330.

Free Tax Prep Clinics Begin Next Week

By Katie Pyzyk

Tax season is officially upon us, as all businesses must mail out employee W-2 forms by next week. Arlington County is offering free clinics for those seeking help filling out tax forms.

The sessions are said to be for “people with low or moderate income,” and criteria for each session is listed below. Attendees must bring photo ID, all W-2 and 1099 forms, social security cards for each family member and information on all other income received in 2011. If it’s available, also bring a copy of last year’s tax return and bank account numbers for direct deposit.

The schedule is as follows:

  • Arlington Central Library (1015 N. Quincy St)  Tuesdays & Thursdays from 10:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m., February 2-April 17. No appointments are necessary, customers are handled on a first-come, first-served basis. Spanish speakers will be available.
  • Columbia Pike Library (816 S. Walter Reed Dr)  Tuesdays 1:15-7:45 p.m., Fridays & Saturdays 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., February 3-April 14. No appointments are necessary, customers are handled on a first-come, first-served basis. Spanish speakers will be available
  • Arlington Department of Human Services (2100 Washington Blvd)  Tuesdays 5:30-7:00 p.m., February 7-April 10. No appointments are necessary, customers are handled on a first-come, first-served basis. Spanish speakers will be available. Customers may not have an individual income that exceeds $25,000 or a family income that exceeds $45,000.
  • ECDC Enterprise Development Group (901 S. Highland St)  Tuesdays 6:00-9:00 p.m., Fridays 6:00-9:00 p.m., Saturdays 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., February 3-April 14. No appointments are necessary, customers are handled on a first-come, first-served basis. Customers may not have an income that exceeds $50,000.
  • AARP Travel Team (Only available to people unable to leave their homes) Appointments only. Call 703-960-0428 to schedule an appointment.