2007-2008 EITC Grant Awards

VACAP is pleased to announce the 2007-2008 EITC grant award recipients. A total of $230,000 was awarded to 24 different coalitions that will be providing free tax preparation services during the 2007 tax filing season. Financial education classes and other asset building opportunities will be presented to customers seeking assistance. We are looking forward to a successful season. Congratulations!

View the list of EITC Grants.......

Posted by Carolyn Spohrer at 1:46 PM - Categories: Coalition Partners | Funding Opportunities

National Women's Law Center Webinar and Outreach Toolkit

The National Women’s Law Center (NWLC) and the Coalition on Human Needs are hosting a series of free webinars on tax credits for working families. By participating in the webinars, advocates and service providers will learn about tax credits that can help families put money in their pockets, easy ways to include tax credits outreach in their current work, and how to help families find free tax preparation services.

For more information visit the National Women's Law Center website....

Posted by Carolyn Spohrer at 2:31 PM - Categories: Conferences/Webinars

Flyers for Free Tax Preparation Program

Three flyers for the Free Tax Preparation program are now available for download and each can be customized for your coalition.

• Go Ahead Take the Money - promote EITC
• Free Tax Preparation Help - promote free tax prep assistance
• Join the 1040 Team- promote volunteerism

Posted by Carolyn Spohrer at 2:25 PM - Categories: Flyers

EITC Programs in Rural Communities Report

The Carsey Institute, using Brookings/IRS data, has released a report in support of EITC Programs in rural communities. The report, "EITC is Vital for Working-Poor Families in Rural America" notes that "The EITC is especially important to rural families throughout the United States. Among poor and near-poor families, those in rural areas are more likely to be working, and they are more likely to be working in low-wage jobs."

Read the report

Learn more about the Carsey Institute

Posted by Carolyn Spohrer at 2:52 PM - Categories: Press Releases

EITC and VIDA Conference Call Playback

If you missed the October 11 EITC/VIDA conference call and would like to catch up on the news and listen to all (or parts) you can dial the conference playback line. To access the EITC/VIDA conference playback please dial 804-497-3948 and use reference number 189427 then press #.

You may also view the VIDA Program PowerPoint presentation from the EITC/VIDA conference call.

View the VIDA presentation here.....

Posted by Carolyn Spohrer at 3:10 PM - Categories: Conferences/Webinars | IDA Program | VITA

VSCPA Financial Fitness University

There are many ways to assist your free tax preparation customers with improving their financial fitness. Here is one from the Virginia Society of CPAs: The Financial Fitness University. The web site includes many ideas and publications.

As part of the Financial Fitness University program, the VSCPA has prepared speeches and PowerPoint slides. Topics focus on eliminating credit card debt, contributing to a 401(k) plan, preventing identity theft, using your tax refund wisely and more. Additional materials include articles for employee newsletters or intranets, paycheck inserts, flyers for bulletin boards and table tents for break rooms.

To access these materials, visit the VSCPA’s consumer Web site at www.FinancialFitness.org/university.   Please feel free to copy and distribute these materials as many times as you like — there are no copyright restrictions.

Posted by Carolyn Spohrer at 3:03 PM - Categories:

Second Annual EITC and VIDA Conference Call

As we continue “Making Connections” and partnering with our VIDA intermediaries, please plan to participate in the second annual EITC and VIDA conference call. The call will take place on Thursday, October 11 at 2:00, and will last about an hour.

Dialing instructions for the call:

• Dial 804-497-3932.
• Enter the pass code 9097 followed by the # sign.

If you experience technical difficulty during the call, you can press *0 and an operator will be happy to assist you.

Posted by Carolyn Spohrer at 3:14 PM - Categories: IDA Program | VITA