Tennessee 211

2-1-1 In the News

The Tennessean
February 04, 2006

Spread the word on EITC

It’s time to start thinking about paying your federal taxes. Do you know whether you qualify for an Earned Income Tax Credit?

If you qualify, yet don’t take advantage of the credit, you could be losing thousands of dollars. But the good news in Nashville is that information about the EITC is close at hand.

The Earned Income Tax Credit was initiated in 1975 as a program intended to lift American families above the poverty line. In 2005, for instance, families with two ore more children with incomes less than $37,263 were eligible for the credit. Single-parent families and individuals with no dependents can qualify for the credit. Qualified filers can receive a tax benefit up to $4,400; the average benefit in Davidson County is $1,500.

Yet nationally, 15-25% of qualified EITC earners don’t file for the program; most of them just aren’t aware of the credit.

In an effort to address that issue, the Nashville Wealth Building Alliance opened community-wide tax assistance four years ago. Anyone with income less than $40,000 can get help with their taxes, but the emphasis is on finding families who are eligible for the EITC. The Nashville Wealth Building Alliance is a coalition of government, religious, nonprofit and business interests that are committed to helping, families build financial stability.

Last year, more than 5,000 local families received tax preparation assistance from the program. This year, the alliance is operating tax prep sites at 12 locations.

Information about the locations for the 12 centers is available by calling 211, which is the United Way’s help line, or by going online to www.cooper.house.gov, the Web site for Rep. Jim Cooper, who is a member of the alliance.

The families who received tax-filing help last year at the alliance’s centers received tax refunds totaling $7.1 million. That money went back into the local economy through the purchase of goods and services. Ensuring that all eligible people file for the EITC is a smart community effort. If you know anyone who might qualify, give them the 211 number and urge them to use it.

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	2-1-1 In the News The Tennessean February 04, 2006 Spread the word on EITC It’s time to start thinking about paying your federal taxes. Do you know whether you qualify for an Earned Income Tax Credit? If you qualify, yet don’t take advantage of the credit, you could be losing thousands of dollars. But the good news in Nashville is that information about the EITC is close at hand. The Earned Income Tax Credit was initiated in 1975 as a program intended to lift American families above the poverty line. In 2005, for instance, families with two ore more children with incomes less than $37,263 were eligible for the credit. Single-parent families and individuals with no dependents can qualify for the credit. Qualified filers can receive a tax benefit up to $4,400; the average benefit in Davidson County is $1,500. Yet nationally, 15-25% of qualified EITC earners don’t file for the program; most of them just aren’t aware of the credit. In an effort to address that issue, the Nashville Wealth Building Alliance opened community-wide tax assistance four years ago. Anyone with income less than $40,000 can get help with their taxes, but the emphasis is on finding families who are eligible for the EITC. The Nashville Wealth Building Alliance is a coalition of government, religious, nonprofit and business interests that are committed to helping, families build financial stability. Last year, more than 5,000 local families received tax preparation assistance from the program. This year, the alliance is operating tax prep sites at 12 locations. Information about the locations for the 12 centers is available by calling 211, which is the United Way’s help line, or by going online to www.cooper.house.gov, the Web site for Rep. Jim Cooper, who is a member of the alliance. The families who received tax-filing help last year at the alliance’s centers received tax refunds totaling $7.1 million. That money went back into the local economy through the purchase of goods and services. Ensuring that all eligible people file for the EITC is a smart community effort. If you know anyone who might qualify, give them the 211 number and urge them to use it. top