Financial Literacy Forum to Offer Money-Saving Tips for Disabled

The Internal Revenue Service is working with other agencies and local nonprofit groups to sponsor an event aimed at educating people with disabilities and organizations that serve them about often-overlooked tax breaks and free services.

U. S. Representative Steve Cohen will be the keynote speaker at the Financial Literacy Forum on August 28, to be held from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Benjamin L. Hooks Library, 3030 Poplar Ave. in Memphis.

The event is open to any person with a disability or anyone who provides service or care for people with disabilities. This event is presented by the IRS Taxpayer Advocate Service, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, DEERS Low Income Tax Clinic, IRS Criminal Investigation, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).

Other speakers include John Wancheck, the Earned Income Credit Campaign Coordinator for the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities in Washington, DC, and Donna Wess, Taxpayer Advocate for the Memphis IRS Campus. There will also be speakers from the FDIC, the IRS Stakeholder Partnerships Education and Communication program, IRS Criminal Investigation, and the DEERS Low Income Tax Clinic.

Questions that will be addressed include: “How does receiving tax credits affect disability benefits?” “What tax benefits are available for people with disabilities?” “Who is eligible for free tax preparation?” “How do you find an honest tax preparer?” “Is there a way to cut through IRS ‘red tape’ when you need tax help?”

Attendees will have access to exhibitors offering services and helpful information for people with disabilities.

The event is free and includes lunch. Registration is needed by Aug. 14 to ensure the availability of seating and lunch and to advise of any special accommodations needed. To register, send an e-mail to stephny.d.young@irs.gov or call the Taxpayer Advocate Service in Memphis at 901-395-1900.