Earned Income Tax Credit Assistance
Why it Matters
Each year, our community loses millions of dollars in lost revenue through unclaimed tax credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit. When these credits are claimed, we can boost our economy and help individuals become financially stable.
United Way formed the Regional Asset Building Coalition to help people build assets and become stable. The coalition and its partners provide free tax preparation services through the IRS’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program at locations throughout the community. The service helps families make the most of their tax refunds by avoiding a paid tax preparer or predatory tax service. To run these sites, the coalition relies on hundreds of volunteers each year.
The EITC Initiative is led by the Regional Asset Building Coalition. Members include: AARP, Accounting Aid Society, GreenPath, Internal Revenue Service, Macomb County Asset Building Coalition, Macomb Community Service Action Agency, Oakland Livingston Tax Preparation Coalition, United Way for Southeastern Michigan, Wayne County Asset Building Coalition, and Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency.
In addition to tax preparation, the VITA sites provide clients with information on financial management so they can make the best decisions about their finances as a whole and how to use their refund.
What we've done
- More than 24,000 individuals had $26 million returned in Earned Income Tax Credits during the 2010 tax season through assistance provided by UWSEM and Regional Asset Building Coalition.
- Nearly 200 individuals prepared their taxes for free online by using our online filing system powered by Beehive.
Our goals for this year and the future
2011
- Launch a media and educational awareness campaign on foreclosure prevention and EITC.
2018
- Help 19,000 families in southeastern Michigan become financially stable by providing pathways to jobs, financial coaching and access to benefits, like the Earned Income Tax Credit.