Kansas City, Mo. (June 30, 2004) -- Tax prep giant H&R Block has forged a three-year alliance with a community organization as part of an effort to educate low- and moderate-income taxpayers.
Block has teamed with the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now to create and execute community outreach programs that will focus on increasing awareness and understanding of the tax credits available to low- and moderate-income taxpayers.
"Nearly 4.3 million eligible taxpayers missed out on billions of dollars by neglecting to claim the earned income tax credit in 2002 alone," said Jeff Yabuki, H&R Block executive vice president and chief operating officer. "ACORN connects with communities nationwide in ways that will help alert people to this credit and ensure that more of that money gets into the pockets of low- and moderate-income consumers."
The joint effort will focus on families and communities that are eligible for, but are not claiming, these tax credits. According to the two groups, each year an estimated 20 percent of working people eligible for the earned income tax credit don't collect it.
Block will provide the tax and financial expertise and funding to develop the educational materials. ACORN will implement the programs through its nationwide network of chapters and its resources within community organizations.
The project will also expand both organizations' efforts to help connect families to other programs, including job training, food stamps and state health benefits that are often missed by eligible low- and moderate-income families.
-- WebCPA staff
