PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 16, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- There's help at hand for the high cost of college. Congressman Chaka Fattah (D-PA) is sponsoring and keynoting a free workshop on Monday, February 20, at the Community College of Philadelphia for higher education students and their families. The program will describe how to take advantage of the American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC) for a tax credit of up to $2,500 on your federal tax returns.

"Making College Pay: Tax Breaks for Students and Families" will be conducted on Monday, February 20, at 6 p.m. at CCP's Center for Business and Industry, 1751 Callowhill Street, Philadelphia 19130 – Room CB1 C2-28.

Fattah and experts on college tax credits will be describing how the American Opportunity Tax Credit can help you receive up to $2,500 as a credit on your federal tax return. The AOTC covers tuition, textbooks, fees and other higher education expenses for working families, low and middle income students.

Attendees will have the opportunity to set up an individual meeting with one of four agencies that can help you file your taxes for free: the Internal Revenue Service, the Benefit Bank, LIFT-Philadelphia, and the Campaign for Working Families.

You'll get valuable information, including:

• How the American Opportunity Tax Credit works
• How you can qualify
• How to claim the tax credit on your IRS 1040
• What to do if you've already filed your tax return
• Other tax credits for college students or their families
• And more ...

To register for this free event, go to http://taxbreak.eventbrite.com or call 215.848.9386.

Congressman Fattah introduced the original legislation and guided the American Opportunity Tax Credit into law as part of the 2009 Recovery Act. The AOTC has been extended through 2012.

"The American Opportunity Tax Credit has helped put college education within the reach of millions of students who would otherwise face significant financial hardship," said Fattah, a leader in Congress for educational opportunity and equity. "I am pleased that the strides we have made toward increasing college affordability will continue."

 

SOURCE Office of Congressman Chaka Fattah

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http://fattah.house.gov/