"Keeping What They've Earned: Working Minnesotans and Tax Credits"
A January 2006 report by Children's Defense Fund Minnesota.
More than 53,000 low- to moderate-income Minnesota households who received the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) paid commercial tax preparers an average of 236% Annual Percentage Rate (APR) to get their tax refunds more quickly in 2004, according to a January 2006 report released by the Children's Defense Fund Minnesota. The report also finds that $24 million in EITC tax benefits were diverted from Minnesota's low-wage families to commercial tax preparers and national banks that year. Click here.
AARP Tax-Aide
Offers tax counseling, frequently asked tax questions, program information, volunteer opportunities, and, from February 1 to April 15, the locations of free Tax-Aide tax filing sites nationwide. AARP Tax-Aide helps taxpayers with middle and low-incomes, with special attention to those age 60 and older. Taxpayers can also pose questions online and get quality-reviewed answers back within a few business days. Click here.
Brookings Institution Metropolitan Policy Program
Available state and local data on the number of EITC claims filed and refund dollars received can be used effectively to generate support for EITC initiatives. Several reports using such data that can assist outreach efforts are available at this website. It includes data on EITC claims by zip code can be obtained for tax years 1997 through 2003 and provides guidance on how to describe the local impacts of the credit and efforts to increase the number of eligible families claiming it. Click here.
The Hatcher Group, State EITC On-Line Resource Center
Provides ready access to research, resources and updated information about state Earned Income Tax Credits and efforts to enact the credit in particular states. It features a "50 State Resource Map," providing a quick status report on each state's EITC or efforts to enact one, as well as a state contact for more information. Click here.
Internal Revenue Service, Stakeholder, Partnership, Education and Communication (SPEC)
This site is an electronic EITC tool-kit for community partners. It contains a variety of fact sheets and links to assist communities in developing and implementing Community Based Partnerships that link education and awareness of federal tax credits (including the EITC and Child Tax Credit) with free tax preparation services and asset building opportunities. The site provides state-by-state IRS data on EITC claims. Click here.
Internal Revenue Service's EITC Assistant
Determine if you are eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit. Your eligibility depends on such factors as your filing status, income level, and the number of qualifying children you have, if any. This tool will not only determine your eligibility, but can also determine your filing status, and the number of your qualifying children, and it can estimate your credit amount. Click here.
National Community Tax Coalition
Features a resource library to assist organizations to operate free tax preparation programs, carry out EITC outreach, and serve immigrant taxpayers. Click here. www.tax-coalition.org NCTC has also created an EITC Advocacy Toolkit, every single thing you need to help build support for the EITC in just an hour a month (or less). Click here.
National Consumer Law Center
The National Consumer Law Center is America's consumer law expert, helping consumers, their advocates, and public policy makers to use powerful consumer laws to build financial security and assure marketplace justice for vulnerable individuals and families. Find key reports about the negative impacts of Refund Anticipation Loans (RALs) here. Click here.
National EITC Outreach Partnership
The National EITC Outreach Partnership was formed over the past year by national organizations, including federal government agencies, that consider it important to promote Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) outreach, free tax preparation alternatives, and asset development strategies. The Partnership is an informal affiliation that allows organizations to continue the discussion of how best to engage local partners, enhance their ability to build local coalitions, provide a network of peer learning, and highlight how national organizations can communicate effectively with one another to bolster collaborative community efforts. Click here.
Please see these pages for further information:
Tax Policy & Outreach
General Questions About Tax Season and the EITC/WFC
Outreach Resources and Materials
Tax Outreach, Research and Advocacy Links
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