EITC supports working families, strengthens local economy

GEORGETOWN, Del. — Congressman John Carney was joined by Rev. Clifford Johnson of the Nehemiah Gateway Community Development Corporation, Bernice Edwards of the First State Community Action Agency, Wanda Lopez of United Way of Delaware, Rashmi Rangan of the Delaware Community Reinvestment Action Council, and Glenn Rollins of the Internal Revenue Service at a press conference in Georgetown to help launch the 12th annual Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) campaign and urge Delawareans to participate.

The campaign educates citizens about the EITC, prepares taxes for those who qualify and encourages sound financial management and savings. The Earned Income Tax Credit is available to employed individuals and families meeting certain income and other qualifying criteria. For example, the Earned Income Tax Credit benefits families who earn less than $51,567 (with three or more children and filing a joint return) per year. The maximum tax credit that citizens can receive could be as much as $6,044 depending on family size and income.

“The Earned Income Tax Credit helps working families keep more of what they earn, and brings millions of dollars back to Delaware’s economy.  Yet, every year, close to 20% of eligible Delawareans do not file for it,” said Congressman Carney.  “The Delaware EITC Campaign reaches out to Delaware residents, helps them file their taxes, and teaches them how to best put that money to use.  I’m hopeful that every eligible Delawarean takes advantage of this opportunity.  In many cases, it makes the difference between getting by and getting ahead.”  

The EITC campaign in Delaware is coordinated by the Nehemiah Gateway Community Development Corporation (NGCDC).   The program offers free tax services to citizens through a partnership of the Nehemiah Gateway CDC, First State Community Action Agency and the Delaware Alliance for Community Advancement, with support from financial institutions, foundations, and United Way of Delaware.

According to Reverend Clifford Johnson, President of NGCDC, the EITC increases the ability of workers in lower paying job categories to support themselves and their families. He said research shows that helping a person reap additional tax benefits based on the amount they earn has increased the labor force participation of lower skilled workers, especially single mothers.

“The EITC Campaign has given us the opportunity to take our services directly to Delawareans through our mobile tax sites.  First State goes into low-income communities to provide this valuable service in accessible locations,” said Bernice Edwards, Executive Director of the First State Community Action Agency.  “Last year, we helped more than 1,400 individuals and families prepare and file their taxes at no cost to them, and we expect to reach even more people this year.  Many of these Delawareans have income levels that are at or near the poverty line.  Not only are we able to help them keep more money in their pockets, but we work with them to develop important financial literacy skills as well.”

In tax year 2012, EITC returned over $155 million dollars of federal money to eligible Delawareans at an average of $2,150 per return. Nationwide, the EITC funnels billions of dollars into low income communities, both urban and rural, in the form of consumer spending and asset building.  Research shows that most often families use their EITC refunds directly in the local community to put food on the table, pay their mortgage or rent, or make needed repairs to their home or car.

Rashmi Rangan, Executive Director of the Delaware Community Reinvestment Action Council, said, “The EITC has a track record of successfully reducing poverty by providing an annual wage supplement to workers based on their earnings, their marital status and family size.  DCRAC is proud to partner in this endeavor to assure that Delaware families eligible for the EITC are successful in obtaining these credits.”

For clients who prefer to prepare their own returns, there is now a free software program available at www.MyFreeTaxesDE.com. Delawareans with a household income of $58,000 or less in 2013 are eligible to use this site, which offers free tax filing for state and federal taxes, as well as a free telephone helpline that can be reached by calling Delaware 2-1-1 or 1-855-MY-TX-HELP.   

MyFreeTaxesDE is managed by a Delaware Coalition, led by United Way of Delaware, $tand By Me® and Goodwill of Delaware and Delaware County, as well as more than 30 state and local organizations, businesses and schools. $tand By Me® also invites taxpayers to meet with a free financial coach to help with other money-related topics.  Any Delawarean can visit www.standbymede.org to make an appointment to meet with their free financial coach to set their own financial goals. 


“This is a great time for Delawareans who are eligible for the EITC to think about what they are going to do with that credit, when they receive it,” said Wanda Lopez, Assistant Director of Programs for United Way of Delaware. “Stand By Me can help Delawareans meet their personal financial goals, starting with that credit. United Way of Delaware is proud to be part of initiatives that help Delawareans increase their financial stability and plan for their future.”


By having free, readily accessible sites in low income communities throughout Delaware, NGCDC reaches households that might otherwise not be aware of the EITC program.  And with the self-prepare program available at www.MyFreeTaxesDE.com  there’s also an opportunity to prepare taxes from the comfort of your own home.  In addition, with commercial tax preparation fees averaging over $250, clients are able to save that money and take advantage of free tax preparation programs. Clients are also not subjected to sales pressure for instant refunds and loans.   

 

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