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News Release > Entergy Mississippi Customers Can Receive Free Virtual Tax Prep
Entergy Mississippi Customers Can Receive Free Virtual Tax Prep
03/08/2021
Volunteers will help qualifying customers claim their Earned Income Tax Credits
JACKSON, Mississippi – As part of its commitment to empower low-income customers, Entergy Mississippi is once again helping those who qualify for federal Earned Income Tax Credits claim the money they have earned.
Entergy is also continuing its partnership with community advocates to support free IRS-certified Volunteer Income Tax Assistance tax preparation services for qualifying customers. Funding for this effort is provided through shareholder contributions and does not impact customer bills.
At local VITA sites, IRS-certified volunteers from Entergy Mississippi and community partners are available to help residents who earn $57,000 or less determine if they qualify to receive the tax benefits. Qualifying families can receive as much as $6,700 through EITC.
The Earned Income Tax Credit is one of the nation's most effective tools for lifting low-income workers and their families above the poverty line. The federal government estimates EITC lifted 5.6 million people out of poverty, including 3 million children. However, it is estimated that one out of five people who qualify for the EITC fail to claim it.
Entergy’s goal is to help increase the amount of federal money returned to Mississippians by raising awareness of the credit and supporting VITA sites to help customers avoid high fees and refund-anticipation loans.
Since 2009, Entergy has helped return $280 million to 160,000 residents throughout the company’s utility service area in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. In Mississippi, nearly 33,000 Entergy customers have received more than $71 million.
“Services provided through the VITA program help power lives for our customers, who can gain long-term benefits by claiming EITC,” said Lea Turnipseed, Entergy Mississippi vice president of customer service. “By putting our customers’ hard-earned money back in their pockets, we help improve their lives, create opportunities and strengthen our communities.”
Qualified customers can get their taxes prepared for free by IRS-certified volunteers at Volunteer Income Tax Assistance tax preparation sites. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many VITA programs are offering drop-off tax preparation services. Contact the provider in your community to confirm available services. VITA site locations are available at entergy.com/freetaxhelp.
Also due to COVID-19, customers may qualify for an Economic Impact Payment, also known as a “stimulus check,” of $1,200. Customers who didn’t receive a stimulus check in 2020 may be able to claim the payment as the Recovery Rebate Tax Credit on their tax return filed in 2021 for tax year 2020.
Free tax preparation services are provided at VITA sites throughout the 2021 tax season. In some VITA locations, local community partners are offering appointments for tax preparation services, drop-off tax prep services, financial coaching, budget workshops, free legal services and more. For more information, visit entergy.com/freetaxhelp
Entergy Mississippi, LLC provides electricity to approximately 456,000 customers in 45 counties. Entergy Corporation (NYSE: ETR) is an integrated energy company engaged in electric power production, transmission and retail distribution operations. Entergy delivers electricity to 3 million utility customers in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. Entergy owns and operates one of the cleanest large-scale U.S. power generating fleets with approximately 30,000 megawatts of electric generating capacity, including 8,000 megawatts of nuclear power. Headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, Entergy has annual revenues of $10 billion and more than 13,000 employees. Learn more at entergy.com and follow @Entergy on social media.
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