Earned Income Tax Credit

Every year millions of dollars in tax refunds go unclaimed in Philadelphia. As a partner in The Philadelphia Campaign for Working Families, United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania helps bring many of those millions back to Philadelphia's low-income working families by recruiting and training hundreds of volunteers across our area. The Campaign provides free tax assistance to families, helping them file for the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and connects Philadelphia residents to other tax credits, public benefits, and asset-building resources through hundreds of local volunteers.

During the 2006 Tax Season

• 386 Volunteers
• 12,000 Tax Returns Filed
• $20.3 Million in Refunds
• Saved $4.8 Million in Tax Prep Fees

Background

EITC is a tax benefit for working people who earn low and moderate incomes (less than $42,000 a year). It reduces the tax burden on these workers, supplements their wages, and helps families pay bills or save for the future. EITC refunds can be up to $4536 per year, based on family size and income.

The Campaign increases the number of Philadelphia residents who file for the EITC. It also boosts the number of people who receive free tax filing assistance and do not have to pay sky-high fees to commercial tax preparers. Over the past five years, the Campaign has helped to bring $86 million in returns to hard working families. Similar EITC campaigns are underway in 23 cities and four rural areas across the nation, through the Annie E. Casey Foundation's "National Assistance for Working Families Campaign."

Over the last 32 years, the EITC has reduced the annual tax burden for low-income working families and emerged as America's largest and most effective anti-poverty program. In 2000, the EITC has provided roughly the same level of federal assistance to low-income families nationwide as the TANF and food stamps programs combined, according to a study released in January 2003 by the Brookings Institution. Questions? Send an email to taxvolunteer@uwsepa.org or call 215-665-2460.

Questions? Call 215-665-2460 or email taxvolunteer@uwsepa.org.

Learn more about the Campaign for Working Families, visit:

www.phillyfreetaxes.org

More Tax Resources:

Philadelphia Taxpayer Assistance Brochure
Developed by the Office of Housing and Community Development (OHCD) to educate homeowners in the City about the assistance available to stop legal proceedings due to delinquent real estate taxes.

The United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania and Solutions for Progress are offering free income tax filing to residents of Southeastern Pennsylvania whose annual household income is less than $54,000*. Learn more >>

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is the government’s largest cash assistance program.
Are you Eligible?

There are hundreds of volunteer opportunites available in your area every day!  Visit www.volunteerway.org and get connected.