FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

It’s Your Money … You Earned It!

A Ross County EITC Coalition Campaign

Chillicothe, OH (January 15, 2010)

People who work but don’t make a lot of money may be eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit, as well as free help in preparing their tax return, thanks to a local coalition and its volunteers.

The Ross County EITC Coalition has launched its third annual “It’s Your Money … You Earned It!” campaign to provide free tax-filing assistance to low- and moderate-income wage earners with annual family income up to $57,000 who qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit and/or the child tax credit, child and dependent care credit, or other tax benefits.

“The extra dollars that eligible taxpayers can get through EITC can make their lives a little easier, but they must file tax returns, even if they aren’t required, and claim the credit to receive it,” says Luke Feeney, staff attorney at Southeastern Ohio Legal Services, a Coalition partner. This year, he noted, some individuals and families may qualify for the first time for EITC because of unemployment or other changes in their financial, marital or parental status during the past year.

“With a $13,000 matching grant from the Internal Revenue Service, we can expand our services to meet a growing need for our help,” Feeney said. The grant award from the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program will fund expanded outreach to rural residents, additional “Super Saturday” free clinics, and interpreters for deaf and hearing-impaired clients, as well as Spanish-speaking individuals.

The Ross County EITC Coalition is one of only six organizations in Ohio and 147 nationwide to be awarded portions of nearly $8 million in VITA grants this year. United Way of Ross County is serving as fiscal agent for the grant funds. The free tax help program is staffed by the Coalition’s partner agencies, along with specially trained Americorps workers and community volunteers who are IRS/VITA-certified.

Eligible clients can schedule daytime, evening and weekend appointments now through mid-April. Additionally, “Super Saturday” tax-prep clinics will be held 9 a.m. to 2 pm on January 30, February 13 and 20 at various local sites. Transportation assistance may be available.

In addition to free tax preparation and free e-file, free direct deposit is available for fast refunds. Taxpayers with established checking or savings accounts can receive tax refunds in 5-7 days. For information, screening and appointment scheduling, interested individuals should call 779-2798.

BACKGROUND:

• “Approximately 800,000 Ohio families qualify for the federal (EITC) program, but as many as 20% of these families don’t take advantage of the credit, either because they don’t know about it or don’t know how to access it,” says Ohio Treasurer Kevin L. Boyce. “The EITC lifts more children above the poverty line than any other government program,” his website states.
• The Coalition’s mission is to maximize refunds that, in turn, will increase financial independence for working individuals and families. At the same time, these earned dollars will benefit the local economy as the refunds are used to pay bills, purchase necessities, build savings and increase assets. Last year, the coalition helped more than 500 citizens obtain $1 million in various tax refunds.
• The Ross County EITC Coalition was established in 2007 when United Way of Ross County proposed a collaborative effort to bring together community resources for helping those who may be unaware of the Earned Income Tax Credit or who otherwise would spend a portion of these hard-earned dollars to file for their tax refunds. Coalition partners include United Way of Ross County, Southeastern Ohio Legal Services, Ross County Department of Job and Family Services, Ross County Community Action, RossGo, Ohio University-Chillicothe, Internal Revenue Service, Ohio Coalition on the Earned Income Tax Credit, and Ohio Benefit Bank.