Businesses aid EITC efforts with volunteers, resources and publicity
Local and national businesses are strengthening local EITC initiatives by tapping employee skills, using company communication channels and offering business expertise. They are:

• Enlisting employee volunteers
• Promotingfree tax preparation in their companies and communities
• Helpingpeople become financially literate and access asset development services
• Sponsoring or serving as free tax preparation sites

Locally and nationally, businesses are taking part in the effort to get Earned Income Tax Credit money to the eligible working families. Banks are providing volunteers to do taxes and open bank accounts for families. This helps families get their EITC money back faster and start saving. Banks also offer programs that teach low-income families the basics about finances. Utilities are promoting EITC through mailings that go out with monthly bills. Companies who have employees who may be eligible for EITC are creating awareness through internal newsletters and in-house posters. Other companies are offering their employees as volunteers to the free tax preparation effort. Big or small, any business can have a role in free tax preparation and the Earned Income Tax Credit program.

What do businesses bring to EITC initiatives?

• Access to potential EITC recipients (low-wage employees who may be eligible)
• In-kind promotional services (tray liners, mail inserts, posters...)
• Volunteers
• Funding
• Information on and knowledge of asset development and financial literacy.
• Services (banks, mortgage companies, asset development seminars, credit checks...)
• Sites for tax preparation
• Their partner networks

What are the benefits businesses receive for being involved?

• Additional services for employees
• Name associated with a program that has extremely positive and easily measured impact
• Promotion to potential customers and enhanced branding visibility
• Additional volunteer opportunities for employees, retirees and/or appropriate family members
• Opportunity to tap into and demonstrate core skill competencies unique to their business and employees
• New customers (banks, mortgage companies)
• Ability to demonstrate commitment to communities and corporate social responsibility
• Creative way to meet Community Reinvestment Act requirements. Name associated with a program that has extremely positive and easily measured impact
• Opportunity to reach new communities