June 09, 2003
Oakland, CA – Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) today proudly announced the results of the 2003 Earned Income Tax Credit Campaign (EITC), sponsored by the Alameda County Asset Development Community Partnership, of which Congresswoman Lee is a founding member. Thanks to an effective effort to identify people who had previously not taken advantage of this federal tax break for low-income families, $1,821,321 in EITC refunds were captured. The median EITC refund was $1203.
Over the entire tax season, 428 Partnership volunteers helped individuals and families file 2250 free tax returns in 14 different Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites around the East Bay. Another 6,021 requests for EITC information came in through the campaign’s toll-free 800 number. Including the EITC refunds, total tax refunds for the 2250 returns filed totaled $3,069,762.
“This has been an extremely successful campaign,” said Lee. “Many hard-working families have been able to receive the tax refunds to which they are entitled. Particularly with our economy in a jobs depression, these individuals and families need this money.”
The announcement of the EITC figures follows on the heels of last week’s revelation that Congressional Republicans eliminated the $1000 child tax credit for many low-income families. Republicans claimed to need the savings in order to guarantee substantial dividend and income tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans. Lee is a co-sponsor on a Democratic bill that would restore the child tax credits for all Americans.
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Congresswoman Barbara Lee Announces Results from 2003 Earned Income Tax Credit Campaign
Low-income families in the East Bay receive more than $1.8 million in EITC refunds
Oakland, CA – Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) today proudly announced the results of the 2003 Earned Income Tax Credit Campaign (EITC), sponsored by the Alameda County Asset Development Community Partnership, of which Congresswoman Lee is a founding member. Thanks to an effective effort to identify people who had previously not taken advantage of this federal tax break for low-income families, $1,821,321 in EITC refunds were captured. The median EITC refund was $1203.
Over the entire tax season, 428 Partnership volunteers helped individuals and families file 2250 free tax returns in 14 different Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites around the East Bay. Another 6,021 requests for EITC information came in through the campaign’s toll-free 800 number. Including the EITC refunds, total tax refunds for the 2250 returns filed totaled $3,069,762.
“This has been an extremely successful campaign,” said Lee. “Many hard-working families have been able to receive the tax refunds to which they are entitled. Particularly with our economy in a jobs depression, these individuals and families need this money.”
The announcement of the EITC figures follows on the heels of last week’s revelation that Congressional Republicans eliminated the $1000 child tax credit for many low-income families. Republicans claimed to need the savings in order to guarantee substantial dividend and income tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans. Lee is a co-sponsor on a Democratic bill that would restore the child tax credits for all Americans.
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