Mayor Nutter announced that 16 free tax preparation sites open this week: And proclaimed "Earned Income Tax Credit Day in Philadelphia"

PHILADELPHIA, January 31, 2008 - Mayor Nutter joined The Campaign for Working Families to announce the opening of 16 free tax preparation sites this week throughout Philadelphia. Nutter also proclaimed January 31 as “Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Day,” in junction with a nationwide effort to increase public awareness about the EITC and free tax preparation sites.

According to Campaign executive director Jean Hunt, 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 at 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.

Three volunteer tax preparers spoke at the event about how volunteering “promises big returns:”

• 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)

Someone who volunteers to prepare taxes once a week, for the entire tax season, can produce as much as $45,000 in returns. The Campaign announced that it needs more volunteers; to sign up go to http://www.uwsepa.org/volunteer/EITC.asp.

In addition to Mayor Nutter, Jean Hunt and the three volunteers, those speaking at the event were Sharmain Matlock-Turner, president, Greater Philadelphia Urban Affairs Coalition, and James Daugherty, SPEC Territory Manager, IRS.

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.  For more information www.phillyfreetaxes.org or

215-686-2599.

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.

Managed by the Greater Philadelphia Urban Affairs Coalition (GPUAC), The Campaign for Working Families partners are: Ceiba, City of Philadelphia (Free Library and Mayor's Office of Consumer Affairs), Community Legal Services, Consumer Credit Counseling Services of the Delaware Valley, District 1199c, Greater Philadelphia Coalition Against Hunger, PathWays PA, Public Citizens for Children and Youth, Philadelphia Council AFL-CIO, Philadelphia County Assistance Office, The Philadelphia Workforce Development Corporation, The Reinvestment Fund, Transitional Work Corporation, and United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania.

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