The Government is Working to Promote EITC
Local government agencies and the Internal Revenue Service are collaborating with businesses and nonprofits in communities across the United States to ensure that families get the EITC money they deserve. Agencies are:

• Hosting free tax preparation sites
• Marketing EITC to eligible individuals and families
• Providing information and resources to link free tax preparation with other government programs such as Food Stamps and Re-Employment, as well as information on homeownership and financial literacy
• Training volunteers to prepare taxes
• Providing computers for the tax preparations

Cities and their agencies are getting involved in the EITC program in a variety of ways. The city of Chicago put posters about the Earned Income Tax Credit on buses and at movie theaters, and sent out notices with utility bills. San Antonio and Indianapolis sponsor their own free tax preparation programs. Public Housing Authorities are finding volunteers for free tax preparation programs and hosting tax sites. Jobs programs are linking people who are likely recipients of EITC to tax sites in their communities.

What do government agencies bring to EITC initiative?

• Information on additional government programs (Food Stamps, Re-Employment Programs, etc.)
• Training for EITC tax preparation volunteers (IRS)
• Statistics relating to EITC, poverty
• Tax preparation software
• In-kind promotional services
• Volunteers
• Funding
• Information on and knowledge of asset development and financial literacy
• Sites for tax preparation

What are the benefits they receive for being involved?

• Additional services for clients and employees
• Name associated with a program that has extremely positive and measurable impact
• Volunteer opportunities for employees
• Opportunities to promote their mission and achieve goals
• Connections to community members
• Ability to demonstrate commitment to communities and social responsibility