Earned Income Tax Credit Alliance and SmartBucks

The Earned Income Tax Credit Alliance and United Way's SmartBucks programs work to help people achieve stronger financial independence.
The Alliance and SmartBucks programs impact people's lives and improve our community by reclaiming millions of dollars in Earned Income Tax Credits. 

According to studies from the Internal Revenue Service, Memphis and Shelby County have missed out on millions of dollars in unclaimed Earned Income Tax Credit refunds since the year 2000. The studies indicate 24,200 eligible families failed to claim this important credit even though they qualified based on family income.

United Way provides leadership with other local groups to bring some of those missing millions back to low-income Memphis-area families and individuals. Many families of limited financial means can boost their available income by up to 30 percent by claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit, according to IRS studies.

How the Alliance started: United Way of the Mid-South, in cooperation with the Internal Revenue Service, formed a coalition of local businesses, nonprofit agencies, members of the faith-based community and the public sector called the Earned Income Tax Credit Alliance of the Mid-South. This partnership helps low-income families prepare their taxes and claim their Earned Income Tax Credits.

E.I.T.C.A. brings volunteers from the community together
Nearly 100 volunteers, led by E.I.T.C. chairman Stuart Chamblin, publisher of The Memphis Business Journal, prepared tax returns at sites across the city of Memphis. This year, these volunteers will file thousands of returns for people with low incomes at no charge. In addition, at many sites people will learn about opportunities to open various types of bank accounts with money from their tax refunds. These efforts, also present at SmartBucks Financial Fairs, help people have a better financial future, which impacts the quality of life for everyone in our community.

If you or your organization are interested in helping the Earned Income Tax Credit Alliance and SmartBucks programs, contact United Way and ask about starting an Earned Income Tax Credit Alliance site.

..........EITC TOOLKIT NOW AVAILABLE.................................

Check out this useful Earned Income Tax Credit Toolkit  from Corporate Voices For Working Families! (Clicking this link will take you to Corporate Voices for Working Families Website, not a part of www.uwmidsouth.org Note: United Way is not responsible for content.)