Thousands of people in Greater Cincinnati are one step closer to financial stability, thanks to the free EITC (Earned Income Tax Credit) tax preparation services sponsored by United Way of Greater Cincinnati and its partners.

In all, 16,553 families and individuals took advantage of the free opportunity, receiving refunds totaling $19,051,859. This year’s returns represent a two percent increase in tax return dollars received by participating taxpayers in 2010, as well as a five percent increase in participants. The average refund was $1,150.

“We’re so grateful for our partnerships with the AARP of Southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky, and the Ohio Benefit Bank, who joined with our VITA sites to deliver free tax preparation services in our community,” says Lucy Crane, project director, EITC regional initiative, United Way of Greater Cincinnati. “Thousands of local families and individuals are more financially sound, thanks to this service. The EITC initiative is an effort that helps provide a refund for people who are working hard to earn a living.”

Beginning in February, 656 volunteers from around the region helped hardworking, low income families determine whether they qualified for Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), a federal tool that returns more money to taxpayers. Of the thousands of families who received the assistance, 21 percent claimed the EITC, receiving a total of $4,869,376 additional cash back. The credit returned as much as $5,666 to families with three or more children.

Free tax preparation services throughout Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky saved participating families $3,310,600 in fees associated with commercial preparation and rapid refund anticipation loans (RALs). “The EITC initiative not only helps families and individuals get more of their hard earned money back, but it helps those folks avoid paying someone to prepare their tax returns,” says Crane.

Nearly two dozen partners participated in the United Way initiative in Hamilton, Clermont and Butler counties in Ohio, Dearborn County in Indiana, and Boone, Campbell & Kenton counties in Northern Kentucky:

• AARP
• Brighton Center, Inc.
• Butler County Commissioners
• Butler County EITC Campaign
• Butler County United Way
• Center for Great Neighborhoods in Covington
• City of Cincinnati
• Consumer Credit Counseling Services
• Hamilton County
• The Huntington National Bank
• Internal Revenue Service
• Legal Aid Society of Greater Cincinnati/Legal Aid Society of Southwest Ohio
• Miami University
• Northern Kentucky University – Chase College of Law
• Ohio Benefit Bank
• PNC Bank
• Smart Money Community Services
• Supports to Encourage Low Income Families (SELF)
• United Way 211
• United Way of Greater Cincinnati
• United Way of Oxford
• U.S. Bank
• Walmart

Those partnerships were managed by the Legal Aid Society of Greater Cincinnati, Legal Aid Society of Southwest Ohio, and Northern Kentucky University, Salmon P. Chase College of Law, respectively. Sponsors of the effort were Butler County Department of Job and Family Services, City of Cincinnati, Internal Revenue Service, National Disability Institute, PNC Bank, Republic Bank, and Walmart.

Since United Way began participating in the EITC regional initiative six years ago, the initiative has been instrumental in returning almost $80 million to the community. The initiative has grown from $900,000 returned to families in 2003 to over $19 million this year. This fall, United Way and its partners will begin training volunteers for the 2011 tax season. Contact United Way 211 by dialing 2-1-1 or visit www.makeworkpay.com to learn more about how to get involved.

For more information, contact:
Katy Crossen 513-762-7178 katy.crossen@uwgc.org
Lucy Crane 762-7192 lucy.crane@uwgc.org

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