2009 Tax Credit Outreach Campaign Kit Now Available

January 1, 2009

Author: Catherine M. Callery (Kate)| Louise M. Tarantino

Ann Biddle, Esq., Paul M. Ryther, Esq.

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities is pleased to announce the availability of the 2009 Tax Credit Outreach Campaign Kit. This resource is intended to provide community groups, housing and social service agencies and employers with the materials and information needed to conduct community outreach efforts promoting the Earned Income Credit (EIC) and the Child Tax Credit (CTC).   (EITC payments do not affect rent obligations in the federally-assisted housing programs.)
 
Today the United States is confronting the most serious economic downturn in many decades.  As we head into 2009, an increasing number of low and moderate-income working families and individuals are struggling financially and, more than ever before, are likely to need help from two federal tax benefits, the Earned Income Credit (EIC) and the Child Tax Credit (CTC).
 
This year, eligible families can get as much as $4,824 from the EIC, and more if they also qualify for the CTC. Many will need to rely on these credits to help them keep up with household bills and even to help stave off more dire situations, such as mortgage foreclosure. Workers who have been holding jobs that have long provided security for their families may now be grappling with unemployment and do not know where to turn. They may not realize they could qualify for the credits. These and other pressing circumstances have pushed to the forefront the need for effective outreach to ensure that eligible workers know about the credits and how to claim them.

In 2007, 23.1 million eligible families and individuals claimed EICs worth $44.6 billion. Yet, despite this impressive showing, millions more eligible individuals did not file for the credits and ended up forgoing millions of dollars for which they qualified.  Now, when the stakes are so high for struggling families, outreach can help ensure that these vital benefits do not go unclaimed.
 
In addition to exploring six key elements of an effective Outreach Campaign, the Kit contains full-color posters, flyers, fact sheets, a full stock of outreach strategies and examples of where they are being used successfully, and a guide to finding even more information on the Tax Credit Outreach Campaign website, www.cbpp.org/eic2009.
 
A free copy of the Kit can be ordered by email at eickit@cbpp.org or by calling the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities at 202-408-1080.  The Center is eager to work with organizations to enable Kits to be distributed to their own networks and is ready to help facilitate that process.  The Center can provide technical assistance and training to help start or bolster an Outreach Campaign.  Please contact the Center’s Tax Credit Outreach team at 202-408-1080 if you have any questions or would like to order additional materials.