New Ideas for Promoting a Local Asset Building Agenda at Tax Time

Posted by on January 11, 2010

Audioconference to Focus on Asset Building at Tax Time

This month, a free, hour-long YEF Institute audioconference  will highlight “New Ideas for Promoting a Local Asset Building Agenda at Tax Time.”  The call will take place Thurs., January 21, at 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time.  Many cities now lead or participate in local Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) outreach campaigns, which will kick into high gear in the coming weeks.  By providing free tax preparation assistance at Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites, cities help residents save money they would have spent on for-profit tax preparers, claim the EITC and other poverty-reducing tax credits, and attract millions of federal dollars into the local economy.

A number of cities have gone a step further by connecting residents to a range of asset-building initiatives at VITA sites.  These initiatives may include matched savings programs, financial education, and access to a bank account and other mainstream financial services. Cities can also highlight opportunities to directly deposit tax refunds into a savings account or purchase U.S. Savings Bonds.  The following speakers will explain how to use tax time as a launchpad for a citywide asset-building agenda:

* Margaret Bozik, assistant director for management, planning and communications, Community and Economic Development Office, City of Burlington, Vt.
* Joanna Smith-Ramani, director, Baltimore CASH Campaign, Baltimore, Md.

While the call is free, it is only available to a limited number of participants.  Advance registration is required by close of business Tues., Jan. 19.  No phone registrations can be accepted.  One day prior to the call, each registrant will receive an email providing a toll-free, dial-in number to use in joining the audioconference.  For questions about the YEF Institute’s audioconference series, contact Michael Karpman at (202) 626-3072 or karpman@nlc.org.

Register for this audioconference >> http://www.nlc.org/iyef/events___audioconferences/register.aspx