NewsRelease011408

Free Income Tax Preparation/e-filing Sites open throughout Philadelphia: Fast, Free Services offered by IRS-certified tax preparers; New Products are offered to help families save part of their refund

PHILADELPHIA, PA, January 14, 2008 - You may be eligible to have your tax return prepared and e-filed for free, and get your money -- all of it -- back quickly. You can also take advantage of other new products offered by The Campaign for Working Families that help families save part of their refund.

Sixteen free tax-filing sites will open in neighborhoods throughout Philadelphia the week of January 26, all managed by The Campaign for Working Families.

The locations of the Campaign's free tax preparation sites and information on eligibility for the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) are available now by calling the Campaign's 24-hour information line at 215-686-2599. The phone line is in Spanish and English. Additional information is available on the website phillyfreetaxes.org.

Philadelphia families and individuals earning less than $40,000 per year (2007) are eligible for the Campaign’s services. Taxes are prepared by IRS-certified volunteers, who are trained to help you get all of your tax credits and refund.

EITC is a tax benefit for families and individuals who earned, in 2007, less than $39,783 (have children) or less than $12,590 (no children). EITC refunds can be up to $4,716 per year, based on family size and income.

“This year, we have new products for our tax customers to help them put aside some money by saving part of their refund. We can help our customers figure out what product is right for them. We offer a prepaid debit card that provides a low-cost alternative to the high cost cards already on the market. We also offer certificates of deposit, savings bonds and individual development accounts,” said Jean Hunt, executive director of The Campaign for Working Families.

Over the past five years, Philadelphia's Campaign for Working Families has brought $86 million directly into the homes of low-income working families. And saved these families an additional estimated $14 million in interest, fees, and charges for tax preparation and check cashing, and loans.

The Campaign for Working Families is a partnership that promotes free filing of the federal Earned Income Tax Credit and connects Philadelphia residents to other tax credits, public benefits and asset-building resources.

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