EITC Outreach Program
Patricia Gorman, Ann Smith and Barb Wollan

Problem:
In the fall of 2004, a committee of community leaders looked at how individuals and families in the NE Iowa area could better access and participate in the Earned Income Tax Credit program. The committee decided that a marketing plan to promote the EITC should be developed in three pilot counties – Bremer, Butler and Tama. Later it was also decided that a marketing plan alone, without providing the ability for low income families to file their taxes free of charge, would not be the best practice, so a combination of an EITC outreach plan combined with VITA sites were developed.

Response:
Iowa State University Extension field specialists and county directors in Bremer, Butler and Tama counties worked together to provide a media blitz on the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site in each county office for one day in the month of February. Volunteers along with ISUE staff helped individuals and families access the VITA program as well as provided educational materials and resources on how to effectively use income tax refunds and EITC payments.

Impact:
In all, 24 tax returns were filled (4 in Butler, 7 in Bremer, and 13 in Tama) with a total of $28,450 in tax refunds. Of this amount, $15,394 came from 14 returns eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit, and $4,137 from the Child Tax Credit of three families. It is important to note that the majority of the money received by these 24 families in terms of tax refunds will be returned back into the community in forms of bills paid and savings for future assets.

Future Implications:
ISUE and the Institute of Social and Economic Development (ISED) is partnering together to look at expanding this program to a six county area with volunteers identified during this year's initiative. ISUE and ISED are also looking at funding to expand through the Annie E. Casey Foundation.

Contact:
Patricia K. Gorman
Field Specialist/Resource Management
Grundy County Extension
703 F Street Suite 1
Grundy Center, IA 50638
319-824-6979 FAX 319-824-6601
Email pgorman@iastate.edu

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