NEWARK, NJ — The following news release comes courtesy of KIPP Thrive Academy. Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site here.

During this tax season, KIPP Thrive Academy (229 18th Avenue, Newark) is partnering with United Way and South Ward Children's Alliance to help all Newark residents (not just KIPP families) earning less than $54,000 to prepare their 2017 taxes free of charge. Thrive is one of three locations donating space, technology and a volunteer IRS-certified tax preparer; tax preparation takes place on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 to 6 p.m. through April 12 (with the exception of February 20 and 22; and April 3 and 5 for Winter and Spring breaks, respectively).

Stephen Demers, Director of Campus Operations for THRIVE, noted this is the first year KIPP NJ is participating in this partnership and is something he would like to see continue. "We know how difficult it is for most of our families to make ends meet, and having to pay a stranger to prepare their taxes is one less thing we want to put on their plate," he said.

The South Ward Children's Alliance - a non-profit organization serving children and families in the South Ward of Newark - has provided free tax preparation services in partnership with United Way at three school locations in the South Ward for the past two years. Last year, 281 Newark families were served and received a total of $592,367 in federal refunds and $132,521 in state refunds.

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