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CINCINNATI REGIONAL VOLUNTEER TAX ASSISTANCE COLLABORATIVE

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In 2015, 4.7 million teens had earned income

In 2014, only 3% of teens filled out a tax return

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Reading High School

4 Years of Tax Filing Days: By the Numbers

4 United Way volunteers led the effort

~150 federal and state tax returns filed

~250 students participated in a tax filing simulation

$0 for participation

~$30,000 in total refunds (state and federal) were received by Reading students

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Session Goal:

Commit to Hosting Your Own Tax Filing Day

5 Simple Steps to Success:

1. Contact your local United Way

2. Meet with the administration

3. Promotion (Awareness)

4. Promotion (Sign-up)

5. Reminder of what to bring on file day

Link to Drive with details

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Why Free Tax Prep?

Families depend on refund of withheld earnings to meet their basic expenses.
Filing taxes is a legal obligation for almost everyone.
Tax Prep requires reading, interpretation and computer competency.
For-profit tax preparation services can be expensive
Some for-profit and online services entail predatory loans and deceptive practices.

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Tax returns are required �to access:�

HEALTH:

health insurance premium credits�

EDUCATION:

student financial aid (FAFSA)�

HOUSING

home mortgages �

FINANCIAL STABILITY

many government benefit programs.

Why Free Tax Prep?

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OUR REGION

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General Community
Church Groups
Universities and Community Colleges
Corporations

Accounting Firms
Finance Departments
Law Departments
Banks (CRA)

Community Action Agencies
Financial Opportunity Centers
Job Centers (OhioMeansJobs)
Disability Services
Refugee/Immigrant Services
Emergency Assistance/Food Pantries/Headstart/Child Services

Site Types

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EITC and CTC

EITC and CTC are tax credits designed to promote work and to lift families out of poverty.

They are only available to people who file federal tax returns.

EITC (EIC): Earned Income Tax Credit/�Earned Income Credit
CTC: Child Tax Credit/ �Additional Child Tax Credit
American Opportunity Tax Credit/ �Lifelong Learning Credit
Retirement Credits…
Advanced Premium Tax Credit

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2017/2018 – 459 volunteers

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VITA SITES

Walk-in
Appointment
Drop-Off
Tax Coaching
Roving Rural
SuperSaturday
Spanish Language
American Sign Language
Corporate Peer (closed)
College Classes
High School

2018	RETURNS	Refund Dollars	Volunteers	Locations	Sites
Hamilton County, OH	5649	$7,077,777	293	21	16
Northern KY	2653	$3,450,000	83	17	9
Eastern Area, OH	611	$779,660	39	3	3
Middletown Area, OH	1052	$1,240,475	35	4	3
SE Indiana	103	$101,412	9	3	1
TOTAL	10,068	$13,333,175	457	48	32

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A REGIONAL COLLABORATIVE

2018	RETURNS	EIC %	Total Refund Dollars	Volunteers
VITA	8,187	25%	$9,982,721	459
MyFreeTaxes	1881	25%	$2,666,681	5
AARP, SWO	7535	8%	$6,312,636	197
AARP, NKY	1070	13%	$968,693	36
Ohio Benefit Bank	1851	33%	$2,575,659	53
TOTAL	$20,524	19%	$22,506,390	750

$20,524 at a savings of

$277/return

$5,685,148

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HANDS ON EXPERIENCE

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Practice Lab

Taxslayer is the software we use to prepare taxes.
You will have a different log-in for each site where you volunteer.
You also will have a log-in for “Practice Lab” which you will use to practice, enter demo information, and take your certification tests.

https://vita.taxslayerpro.com/

Password: TRAINPROWEB

Go ahead and set up your

username and password now!

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Practice Lab

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Practice Lab – Start a return

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PLEDGE to do this in your school

Please complete this form if you want to try to use this tax filing service with your students. We understand if the administration says no, but pledging to try is an important first step!

Click here to take a quick survey about the session