"What if you could help return $39 billion to working families by simply giving two to four hours a week for a few months out of the year? By helping spread the word about the Central Kentucky Economic Empowerment Project (CKEEP) to families and individuals making less than $40,000 or by participating in a unique volunteer opportunity with the partnership, you can.
CKEEP is a partnership between several local organizations and the Internal Revenue Service to provide free tax preparation to qualifying families across the Bluegrass. An initiative of LexLinc, CKEEP began as a way to strengthen the existing unconnected free tax sites in Lexington. United Way of the Bluegrass plays an active role in the partnership by scheduling appointments and recruiting volunteers to prepare tax returns for clients through 2-1-1 information and referral. Together the members of CKEEP are working to increase awareness of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and allow working families to keep more of the money they earn.
The EITC is a federal income tax credit available to individuals and families participating in the workforce. It is the nation's largest and most effective federal aid program. Eligibility for the EITC is based on income level and household size. As an individual or family's earned income rises, the amount of EITC they are eligible for also rises, providing an incentive to obtain and maintain employment. It then begins to decrease as an individual or family reaches an income level that allows them a measure of self-sufficiency.
In 2004, the year for which the most recent IRS data is available, 21 million individuals received the EITC. Of those receiving the EITC, 63.4 percent use their tax credit to pay current bills or debt; 20 percent use it to gain assets such as a vehicle, house or education and 12.4 percent use it to build savings. The money returned to individuals and families through the EITC is critical in helping them meet basic needs and achieve a level of financial stability.
However, approximately 20-25 percent of those eligible for the credit do not claim it. CKEEP wants qualifying families to receive the money they deserve, and have their returns prepared for free through one of the 14 volunteer tax preparation sites operated by CKEEP in the 2008 filing season.
These tax preparation sites are made possible by volunteers. You do not have to be a CPA to help these working families keep the money they've earned. With the training provided in early January, computer skills and some knowledge of filling out simple tax returns, you can be certified to volunteer at these sites. United Way 2-1-1 is taking calls from those interested in assisting with the program.
United Way 2-1-1 also schedules appointments for the tax sites and received recognition as a national "Best Practice" from the IRS as an innovative way to partner. 2-1-1 is an information service that helps people navigate the maze of social services by referring them to appropriate local agencies. People can call 2-1-1 for information on the various tax sites, such as locations, hours of operation and eligibility. Callers are armed with information on which sites accept walk-ins, when the site opens and closes and what documents are needed.
In 2006, United Way 2-1-1 scheduled nearly 800 appointments, and that number grew to over 860 in 2007. "That's more than 800 people who didn't pay to file their taxes. They can instead use the full amount of their refund towards bills, a down payment on a home, furthering their education — the things that really matter," said Anna McGlone, United Way 2-1-1 program coordinator.
CKEEP is hopeful that even more working families will take advantage of the program in 2008. For more information on how you can help, simply dial 2-1-1 or log on to uwbg.org.
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