CAAB

Investing in People, Strengthening Communities

Thousands of Working DC Families Benefited from Free Tax Preparation and Access to Information on the EITC

 
Thousands of working DC families benefited from free tax preparation and access to information on the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). From January to April 2015, Capital Area Asset Builders (CAAB) and Community Tax Aid (CTA) partnered to manage the DC Earned Income Tax Credit Campaign.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Thousands of Working DC Families Benefited from Free Tax Preparation and Access to Information on the Earned Income Tax Credit 


Washington, DC – May 18, 2015 – Thousands of working DC families benefited from free tax preparation and access to information on the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).

 

From January to April 2015, Capital Area Asset Builders (CAAB) and Community Tax Aid (CTA) partnered to manage the DC Earned Income Tax Credit Campaign.

 

The DC EITC Campaign is a citywide, cross-sector initiative that promotes economic security and asset-building for low- and moderate-income individuals and families by providing access to information on the EITC, free tax preparation services and asset-building opportunities throughout Washington, DC.

 

The EITC is one of the most effective policy tools for lifting Americans out of poverty. In the District of Columbia, the EITC puts money back in the pockets of working individuals and families, strengthens neighborhood businesses and boosts the local economy,” said Rich Petersen, CAAB’s Executive Director.

 

Individuals with income under $35,000 and families with income under $53,000 had access to free, high quality tax preparation services. From early-February through mid-April, CTA managed 8 tax sites throughout Washington, DC. Approximately 5,000 DC low- and moderate-income residents benefited from these services. “The great work done by our tax preparation volunteers and staff translated into over $5 Million in tax refunds,” said Teresa Hinze, CTA’s Executive Director. “This money can make a real difference to DC low- and moderate-income residents, particularly when they’re struggling in this recovering economy.”

 

In 2014, over 54,000 DC residents benefited from the EITC; however, it is estimated that thousands of DC residents are still not claiming the EITC. “It is the goal of CAAB and CTA to ensure working DC families do not overlook this valuable tax credit,” said Petersen. “This year, we partnered with multiple stakeholders in the District of Columbia—DC Government agencies, media organizations, community based organizations, public charter schools, faith based organizations and private sector employers—to promote awareness of the EITC. We also maximized the usage of social media and traditional media engagements.”

 

The goals of the DC EITC Campaign are to: 1) Promote awareness of the Federal and DC Earned Income Tax Credit to ensure that eligible workers know how to claim the credits; 2) Educate taxpayers about numerous Federal and DC tax benefits; 3) Provide opportunities for free tax preparation for qualified DC residents; and, 4) Connect taxpayers with programs and services to improve financial stability.

 

The DC EITC Campaign receives financial and technical support from the Government of the District of Columbia, United Way of the National Capital Area, Citi Community Development, Washington Area Women’s Foundation as well as other business and non-profit organizations in Washington, DC. 

 

For more information on the DC EITC Campaign please contact Joseph Leitmann-Santa Cruz, CAAB’s Director of External Relations, by phone at (202) 419-1440 x 102 or by email at jleitmann-santacruz@caab.org.

 

 

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About Capital Area Asset Builders (CAAB)

 

Capital Area Asset Builders (CAAB) is a not-for-profit organization working to empower low- and moderate-income residents of the Greater DC area to take control of their finances, increase their savings and build wealth for a better future.

 

For further information on CAAB, please visit www.caab.org and follow us on Twitter at @CAAB_GreaterDC.

 

About Community Tax Aid, Inc. (CTA)

 

Community Tax Aid, Inc. is a not-for-profit that provides high-quality, full-service federal and state income tax preparation and representation services at no charge to low-income individuals and families in the Washington, DC metropolitan area.

 

For further information on CTA, please visit www.communitytaxaiddc.org.

 

 

How to give

Now, more than ever, non-profits like Capital Area Asset Builders (CAAB) need your help. Please support CAAB as we continue to help DC residents manage and/or improve their financial situation during these difficult times. If you can't afford to give a monetary gift, please visit our Amazon Wish List where you can choose from a variety of items that CAAB needs in order to better serve our community.

or send a check or money order to
Capital Area Asset Builders (CAAB)
c/o Joseph Leitmann-Santa Cruz, CEO & Executive Director
1100 15th St, NW, 4th Floor 
Washington, DC 20005