Mayor Nutter to Kick Off Tax Season and Proclaim 'Earned Income Tax Credit Day in Philadelphia'

Announce that 16 free tax preparation sites open this week

Mayor Nutter joins The Campaign for Working Families to announce the opening of 16 free tax preparation sites this week throughout Philadelphia. January 31 is "Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Day," a nationwide effort to increase public awareness about the EITC and free tax preparation sites. There will be a call for more volunteer tax preparers.


WHEN: Thursday, January 31 at 11:00 a.m.

WHERE: City Hall, Room 202

SPEAKERS:
-Mayor Michael Nutter

-Sharmain Matlock-Turner, president, Greater Philadelphia Urban Affairs Coalition

-Jean Hunt, executive director, The Campaign for Working Families


Volunteer tax preparers:

-- Kamila Elliott, relationship manager, Vanguard, accountant and volunteer at the Campaign's first storefront tax site (Northeast Philadelphia)

-- Arthur Liebersohn, bankruptcy lawyer, volunteer at District 1199C Training & Upgrading Fund tax site (Center City)

-- Marisa Waxman, senior researcher, Economy League of Greater Philadelphia, volunteer at Diversified Community Services tax site (South Philadelphia)

James Daugherty, SPEC Territory Manager, IRS


WHAT:

In Philadelphia, an estimated 39,000 eligible households do not file EITC claims, leaving approximately $66.3 million in unclaimed credits.

EITC is a tax benefit for families and individuals who earned, in 2007, less than $39,783 (have children) or less than $12,590 (no children). EITC refunds can be up to $4,716 per year, based on family size and income.

Philadelphia families and individuals earning less than $40,000 per year (2007) are eligible for the Campaign's services. Taxes are prepared by IRS-certified volunteers.

The locations of the Campaign's free tax preparation sites and information on eligibility for the EITC are available now at http://www.Phillyfreetaxes.org or by calling the Campaign's 24-hour information line at 215-686-2599. The phone line is in Spanish and English.


ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN FOR WORKING FAMILIES:

The Campaign for Working Families is a partnership that promotes free filing

of federal and state tax returns and promotion of credits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and PA Tax Forgiveness. The Campaign connects Philadelphia residents to other tax credits, public benefits and asset-building resources.

Over the past five years, Philadelphia's Campaign for Working Families has brought $86 million directly into the homes of low-income working families. And it has saved these families an additional estimated $14 million in interest, fees, and charges for tax preparation and check cashing, and loans.