Campaign for Working Families Tax Season Kick-Off

Posted by on January 23, 2011

Area events kick off 2011 tax volunteer campaign

January 28th is EITC Awareness Day, and area tax volunteer efforts are using the occasion to launch the beginning of their campaigns to provide free tax preparation services to low- and moderate-income residents of Southeastern Pennsylvania.

Philadelphia’s Campaign for Working Families will holds its launch event at 11am in the Mayor’s Reception Room, City Hall, Room 202.

This year, the Campaign is highlighting taxpayers’ ability to buy US Savings Bonds at its sites. Taxpayers can purchase a savings bond for up to two other people, a great way to save for children or grandchildren.

The Campaign operates 11 community based tax sites and, in addition to savings bonds, offers e-filing, direct deposit, FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) completion and fairly-priced financial products to help taxpayers save money.

Over the past eight years, the Campaign has prepared and e-filed 90,610 tax returns and brought $146.4 million in state and federal refunds to working families throughout Philadelphia. The Campaign’s free tax prep services have saved these families an additional $20.2 million in interest, fees and charges for tax preparation and check cashing, and loans. The average adjusted gross income of tax customers served at Campaign sites is $19,625.

[Note: PHENND is supporting the Campaign for Working Families to increase student volunteer involvement through our current Learn and Serve grant.]