Program Description

Program/Practice Description: The Benton Harbor EITC Initiative is part of a statewide anti-poverty initiative that urges low- and moderate-income Michigan residents to file for the Federal EITC if they qualify. The initiative offers free tax preparation services to EITC eligible residents. The initiative is heavily dependent upon volunteers to conduct the tax preparation activities. Site coordinators spend considerable time marketing the program and recruiting volunteers. In addition to tax preparation services, the Benton Harbor EITC Initiative promotes financial literacy as residents wait for their taxes to be prepared.

Innovations and Results: Money management and financial literacy are crucial to the Benton Harbor EITC Initiative. The goal is for residents to make better choices with their money that will lead to better financial security. While EITC eligible residents are waiting to file their taxes, a financial literacy video is played and brochures are available. Volunteers also discuss financial literacy with residents.

Funding: The Benton Harbor EITC Initiative is funded through grants (e.g., United Way, the State Community Services Block Grant-Tax) and in-kind donations.

Staffing: Site coordinators conduct the marketing for the EITC initiative, recruit and coordinate volunteers, and e-file the tax returns. The IT coordinator provides technical support for the computers and the network. The EITC initiative depends on volunteers; there are 10-15 volunteers who carry out the tax preparation and financial literacy activities. A trainer for the volunteers also completes tax returns at the site. Both the IT coordinator and trainer are volunteers.