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On Monday, March 25th, St. Leo's provided food to 25 ESR families.  Each family was given either a turkey or ham of their choosing and food items needed for Easter dinner to feed their families, along with Easter baskets and or/easter candy items to families with school-aged children.  Goodwill Industries also worked in collaboration with ESR to pick up and deliver the items to our location.  St. Leo's has been a partner with ESR for several years and hosts sponsorships for Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas to some of the client families we serve. We are grateful for their continued support and partnership over the years.

ESR's Forsyth Free Tax Program was featured on WXII 12 News for the 2024 tax season. Program assistant, Allison Lizotte spoke about the programs general information, requirements, and the impact this service has on our clients and the community. A very special thank you to our program manager, Cherie Ingram, program assistant, Allison Lizotte, and all of our VITA volunteers! Note: (Incorrect spelling of ESR in the video is no fault of our own. We have made WXII aware of this mistake and corrections of our name in the article are in process of being fixed.)

WINSTON-SALEM – Experiment in Self-Reliance Board of Directors name the new Executive Director of Experiment in Self-Reliance (ESR). ESR, a local non-profit and leading player in “Empowering Social and Economic Self-Reliance for the working Low-Income and Homeless” has appointed Fred Bazemore as the Executive Director of the agency.  Chartered in 1964, and celebrating 60 years of serving the community, the agency has been fulfilling its mission of helping families help themselves through the assistance of Mr. Bazemore who has been in leadership at ESR for over 20 years. Fred is a native to Tarboro, North Carolina and a graduate of Winston-Salem State University. Prior to joining ESR, he was a former Senior Regional Portfolio Property Manager, Senior Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Director and Housing Finance Director. The new Executive Director extends his commitment to non-profit work beyond his employment through his community activism, serving on many boards and committees that focus on issues around employment, housing, transportation, financial literacy, economic development, and education for the low-income residents of Forsyth County and North Carolina. Fred is a former member of the Piedmont Triad Workforce Development Board and currently serves on the North Carolina Community Action Association (NCCAA) Board of Directors, the “CARES” Project Board of Directors, and serves as the Western District Chairman for the NCCAA. When not advocating for the low-income in the community, you can find Fred the “Avid Golfer,” as many know him, on the golf course, participating as an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and a member of St. Peter’s World Outreach Center. For more information on ESR, visit www.eisr.org or call 336-722-9400. – –– About ESR ESR is a non-profit Community Action Agency. Its mission is to empower social and economic self-reliance for the working low-income and homeless. Programs serve the working low to moderate income population in Winston-Salem/Forsyth County, helping people locate safe and affordable housing, increase their education, attend financial education classes, have their taxes prepared at no cost and more.

Tax FAQ Have a question about filing your tax return? We can help! Here are our Frequently Asked Questions. Have additional questions? Give us a call at 336-722-9400 . ​ Question: Am I required to file a tax return? Answer: To determine if you are required to file a tax return will depend on several factors, including your age, gross income, filing status, and if you are a dependent on someone else’s tax return. To get more specific information on who must file, check out IRS Publication 501. ​ Question: What is the difference between the standard deduction and itemized deduction? Answer: A standard deduction is a fixed dollar amount based on the taxpayer’s filing status that lowers the taxpayer’s taxable income. The standard deduction is a benefit that eliminates the need for taxpayers to itemize deductions such as medical expenses, mortgage interest, and charitable contributions. Itemized deduction allows taxpayers to reduce their taxable income based on specific personal expenses such as medical expenses, mortgage interest, and charitable contributions. Most taxpayers have a choice of either taking a standard deduction or itemized deduction whichever gives the taxpayer the lower taxable income and lower tax amount. ​ Question: What is the current standard deduction amounts for the tax year 2022? Answer: The standard deduction amounts for the tax year 2022 are: Single or Married Filing Separately – $12,950 Married Filing Jointly or Qualifying Surviving Spouse – $25,900 Head of Household – $19,400 ​ Question: What is the amount of the Child Tax Credit, Credit for Other Dependents, and the Child Age Limit for the year 2022? Answer: The child tax credit is $2,000 per eligible child (The temporary increase to $3,000 and $3,600 was for the tax year 2021 only). The credit for other dependents is $500 (This credit is for dependents who do not qualify for the $2,000 child tax credit). A child must not have attained age 17 by the end of 2022 to be a qualifying child. ​ Question: Will I be able to still claim charitable contributions for the tax year 2022 if I do not itemize? Answer: No, this was only temporary for the tax year 2021, where the taxpayer was able to claim charitable contributions if the taxpayer took the standard deduction. The taxpayer will only be able to claim charitable contributions if they choose to itemize. ​ Question: Will I receive a tax form if I had a health plan through the Health Insurance Marketplace? Answer: If a taxpayer or anyone in the taxpayer’s household is enrolled in a health plan through the Health Insurance Marketplace, Form 1095-A will be issued. This form will be mailed from the Health Insurance Marketplace and not the IRS. If you have not received Form 1095-A, you contact the Health Insurance Marketplace (800-318-2596) or visit the website https://www.healthcare.gov/. ​ Question: What do I do if I have been a victim of identity theft? Answer: If you have been a victim of identity theft, contact the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit at 800-908-4490 extension 245 immediately. ​ Question: When are tax returns due for the tax year 2022? Answer: Taxpayers will have until Tuesday, April 18th, 2023 to file their 2022 tax returns. ​ Question: How can I check the status of my tax refund? Answer: The taxpayer can check the status of a tax refund by using the Where’s My Refund? tool (https://www.irs.gov/refunds). Where’s My Refund? tells the taxpayer if their tax return has been received and if the IRS has approved their tax return and/or sent the taxpayer their tax refund. ​ Question: What if I am unable to pay the taxes that I owe? Answer: It’s important that taxpayers still file a tax return even if the taxpayer is unable to pay the taxes owed. Failing to file a tax return will result in penalties and interest. If the taxpayer is unable to pay taxes owed, the IRS has multiple payment options including installment agreements. For additional information, taxpayers may call (800-829-1040) or visit the IRS website .

Experiment in Self-Reliance Empowering Strength & Resilience New Century IDA | Asset Building | Home Ownership | Small Business Forsyth Free Tax Free tax preparation each year for low-to-moderate income residents Self-Sufficiency One-on-one counseling to help meet your goals and reach economic self-reliance. Latest News and Stories Saint Leo's Donates Easter Meals to ESR Families On Monday, March 25th, St. Leo's provided food to 25 ESR families. Each family was given either a turkey or ham of their choosing and... WXII features Forsyth Free Tax ESR's Forsyth Free Tax Program was featured on WXII 12 News for the 2024 tax season. Program assistant, Allison Lizotte spoke about the... ESR Officially Announces New Leadership WINSTON-SALEM – Experiment in Self-Reliance Board of Directors name the new Executive Director of Experiment in Self-Reliance (ESR). ESR,... Read More We believe in creating a judgment-free zone where everyone is treated with respect, dignity, and compassion. Our goal is to help everyone achieve their fullest potential. Our Commitment to Empowering Social and Economic Self-Reliance Upcoming Events and Workshops No events at the moment Join Us in Empowering Our Community Empower Social and Economic Self-Reliance Donate Now

New Century IDA New Century IDA If you have an interest in this program, contact the IDA Data Manager by calling (336) 722 - 9400 ext. 160. Note: The application period is now closed. Please complete the interest form below and y ou will receive notification when the next application period begins. ​ Pro of that dreams do come true ​ The New Century IDA Program focuses on helping you build assets that will continue to grow in value to achieve homeownership or enhance your small business. Once enrolled, you will receive economic literacy training, first-time homebuyer’s training, and support every step of the way. We will assign you a Success Coach to help you navigate a comprehensive program of financial education and create a personalized schedule of matched savings toward a down payment on a home, or matching funds to enhance your small business. ​ New Century Individual Development Account (IDA) has achieved the highest per capita success rate in the nation, placing over 525 homeowners in the community and representing over $40 million in taxable property assets. The IDA Program helps low-income families gain a stake in their community and in so doing help eliminate generational poverty. ​ ​ Who Qualifies ​ You must be a resident of Winston-Salem/Forsyth County and must meet specific income guidelines. The IDA program is structured so that low-income households can buy a home and be successful in paying for and owning their own property. ​ Don’t let credit and debt issues discourage you from applying to participate in this program. Overcoming credit and debt issues is part of this process. The program’s goal is to get residents in their own homes or enhance their small business. For homeownership we will screen your application for eligibility and notify you of the results. If your application is denied, you will be informed as to the reason for the denial, along with recommendations of ways to improve eligibility. We encourage you to reapply should the situation relating to the denial change. For the IDA micro-enterprise program, Forsyth County Com & Econ Development will screen your application for eligibility. For more information contact the IDA SB Success Coach, by calling 722-9400, ext.161. ​ Requirements To participate in the IDA Program, you must:​ Be a Winston-Salem/Forsyth County resident. Provide a completed IDA Application and Consent Form. Obtain a recent tri-merge credit report. Meet income guidelines and other program requirements. Pay a non-refundable $50 application fee. Operate a Small Business for a minimum of 2 years. (micro-enterprise only.) ​ ​ Would you like to become a sponsor of an IDA Class or an IDA event? Please call the IDA Program Manager (336) 722-9400 ext. 163 New Century IDA Interest Form First name Last name Email Phone Please selct your interest: Home Ownership Small Business You will be contacted late Fall of 2024, by email to attend an "Information Session" here at ESR. Submit Thanks for submitting!