The Earned Income Tax Credit - Erie FREE Taxes
ECF understands poverty remains a significant issue for many in our community. The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is our nation’s largest and most successful anti-poverty program. ECF committed funding to establish an EITC collaborative in our community in 2006. This collaborative is called Erie FREE Taxes.
Erie FREE Taxes works to provide free tax preparation to low and moderate income workers. It also promotes financial literacy and asset building opportunities. In 2009, more than $1.3 million EITC refund dollars were returned to Erie County EITC claimants. An additional $2.5 million dollars in total tax refunds were awarded through Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has recognized this as a high performing program.
Erie FREE Taxes also helps low income wage earners in collecting their EITC refund without the need to pay high costs associated with for-profit tax preparation services and rapid refund loans. Specific program goals include:
- Increase public awareness about the Earned Income Tax Credit
- Increase the number of EITC claimants
- Increase the use of volunteer tax preparers
- Reduce predatory practices such as the Refund Anticipation Loan (RAL)
- Promote financial literacy and asset building among working families
Taxpayer Savings in 2009: $220,125
If you would like further information, visit the Erie FREE Taxes web site, or contact: Cheryl Bates, Program Director, at (814) 454-0843
Click here to download the Advanced Earned Income Tax Credit brochure.
