CDF Minnesota works to put more money into the hands of low-income families by advocating for fair family tax policy and conducting outreach about the importance of key tax credits and deductions to families. Tax credits — especially the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the complementary state Working Family Credit (WFC) — have an enormous impact on the financial and overall well-being of low- to moderate-income families.
These earned income tax credits:
- lift millions — more than half of them children — above the poverty line
- allow families to meet basic needs such as food, rent, clothing and utility bills
- help families reduce debt, build savings and acquire assets
- reward the effort of those working in low-wage jobs
- bring federal and state dollars to local economies
- encourage and support work participation, keeping families off TANF (welfare)
- offset the disproportionate share of earnings that low-income families pay in other taxes, such as sales and payroll taxes
During the 2007 tax season, Children's Defense Fund Minnesota is participating in the Greater Twin Cities United Way's "Claim It!" campaign, which seeks to increase claiming the EITC and WFC in the nine-county Twin Cities metro area. Numerous other partners are assisting in this effort with the goal of assisting an additional 10,000 low-wage workers claim their tax credits. A free kick-off event, the "Claim It! Fair," is being held at the Minneapolis Convention Center on January 27 (more information below).
For the fourth year in a row, CDF is also partnering with communities organizations who host free tax sites to screen families for other benefits—such as Medical Assistance, Child Care Assistance and Food Support—they may not be receiving. CDF is training more than 100 volunteers to staff 11 free tax sites statewide and screen families using our Covering All Families website (www.coveringallfamilies.org).
Click on the links below to learn more about how you or your organization can help us have a successful 2007 tax season. Please help us spread the word about free tax assistance and the importance of the tax credits!
Please see these pages for further information:
General Questions About Tax Season and the EITC/WFC
Outreach Resources and Materials
Tax Outreach, Research and Advocacy Links
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