Honoring Roberto Clemente & Tax Return Resources

April 4, 2025


 

The community came together to honor the life of Roberto Clemente. Please keep scrolling to see some of the pictures from that celebration.

Time is running out to file your tax returns! I'll dig deeper into all the free resources available to ensure you meet the April 15th deadline.

These are the sections in today's email: 

  • Honoring the Legacy of Roberto Clemente
  • Don’t Wait to File Your Tax Returns!
  • Distracted Driving Awareness Month
 

Honoring the Legacy of Roberto Clemente

It was a true honor to attend the 13th Annual Roberto & Vera Clemente Life Commemoration Event at Dunkin' Park in Hartford last week. This inspiring event paid tribute to the life, legacy, and humanitarian spirit of Roberto Clemente, a true Puerto Rican icon both on and off the field.

Clemente was not only a Hall of Fame baseball player and humanitarian, he also served in the United States Marine Corps Reserve during his baseball off-seasons from 1958 to 1964, exemplifying his deep sense of duty and service to others.

I would like to thank the Connecticut Institute of Community Development (CICD) for organizing such a meaningful celebration and for your continued work making our Puerto Rican parades across the state such vibrant and unifying events every year.

We were fortunate to hear from keynote speaker Rob Dibble, a former major league pitcher and proud Connecticut native, whose reflections on Clemente's legacy resonated deeply with everyone at the ballpark. 

I also want to recognize my friend and colleague State Rep. Geraldo Reyes, who brought his incredible Clemente collection to share with the community. It was an amazing tribute in itself that added personal and historic touch to the event.

And of course, thank you to all the Miss Puerto Ricos for gracing the event with their presence and helping celebrate our shared heritage and pride.

This event was a reminder of how powerful community can be when we come together to honor greatness, culture, and compassion. ¡Gracias a todos!
 

Don’t Wait to File Your Tax Returns!

With the tax deadline quickly approaching on April 15th, now is the time to take action if you haven’t filed yet. Connecticut residents have access to a variety of free resources to help complete both state and federal tax returns accurately and on time.

Whether you need in-person assistance, prefer online filing, or need guidance on available tax credits, these services are here to ensure you meet the deadline with less stress and confusion.

The IRS Direct File Tool is an option for anyone who lived and earned their income in Connecticut last year. You can use this resource if you have one or more of the following types of income:

  • W-2 (income from employer)
  • 1099-G (unemployment compensation
  • SSA-1099 (Social Security benefits)
  • 1099-R (income from employer-sponsored pension and retirement account)
  • 1099-SA (distributions for qualified medical expenses from Health Savings Accounts)
  • 1099-INT (interest income)
Click here to get started

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program is staffed by IRS-certified volunteers who are specifically trained to help qualifying individuals including low- to moderate-income taxpayers, people with disabilities, and those with limited English proficiency, prepare and file both federal and state tax returns accurately. They can assist in claiming valuable tax credits, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), which can lead to a significant increase in your refund.

To access VITA services, taxpayers can visit an in-person VITA site, typically located at community centers, libraries, and nonprofit organizations. Many VITA sites also offer convenient drop-off or virtual options, allowing you to submit documents securely and have a preparer complete your return remotely.

Here are some of the eligibility requirement for VITA:

  • Household income less than $68,000
  • If self-employed, business expenses should be less than $35,000
  • No income from a rental property
CLICK HERE to book your appointment now!

Don’t miss out on other opportunities below to save money when filing your taxes:
 

Distracted Driving Awareness Month

April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is taking a stand with the launch of a statewide Distracted Driving Awareness and Enforcement Campaign to help keep Connecticut roads safe. The campaign will step up efforts in the month of April. 

The Connecticut Department of Transportation urges drivers to prioritize safety by eliminating distractions while driving. Follow these simple tips to stay safe on the road:

  • If you need to send or receive a text, pull over and park in a safe location before using your phone
  • Designate a passenger to manage calls and messages while you drive
  • Avoid social media use while driving—no post is worth risking your life
  • Do not use a vehicle’s “infotainment” screen or other portable video players while operating a motor vehicle
  • If you struggle to resist checking your device, enable the “Do Not Disturb” feature, silence notifications, or place your phone out of reach in the glove box or back seat until you arrive

Click here for more information on distracted driving prevention.