PathWays PA Policy Blog

For Immediate Release One in Five Workers is Leaving Money on the Table! PathWays PA can help workers get their taxes done for free at VITA sites throughout the region – and will be announcing a special VITA site later in the week! EITC Awareness Week Events: 1/26 – PathWays PA releases list of local VITA sites online 1/27 – PathWays PA promotes DelcoAD VITA sites online 1/28 – PathWays PA makes special announcement about VITA Supersite 1/29 – PathWays PA holds EITC Awareness Twitter Storm from 10 – 11 AM (sample tweets/images available here ) www.pathwayspa.org / pathwaysvita.com / @PathWaysPA / @PathWaysPolicy #EITC Workers can get a larger tax refund this year because of the EITC (Earned Income Tax Credit) – but one in five eligible workers don’t know about it! During EITC Awareness Week, PathWays PA will share information daily to help spread the word about the EITC and how we can help workers access the money they’ve earned. In 2015, 27.5 million workers recei...

EITC Awareness Day is next week, and you're invited to join us for a Twitter Storm to celebrate! The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a federal tax credit. It reduces or eliminates taxes for workers under a certain income, and in many cases actually gives them money back! Here's a few more facts: For the 2014 tax year 27.5 million taxpayers received about $66.7 billion in EITC  The average amount of EITC received nationwide last year was more than $2,400  EITC is for workers whose income does not exceed the following limits in tax year 2015:  $47,747 ($53,267 married filing jointly) with three or more qualifying children  $44,454 ($49,974 married filing jointly) with two qualifying children  $39,131 ($44,651 married filing jointly) with one qualifying child  $14,820 ($20,330 married filing jointly) with no qualifying children  Investment income in all cases must be $3,400 or less We'll be online sharing information from 1-2 PM on Fri...

Congress is making decisions about tax reform and they have an opportunity to make working families a priority. Ask Congress not to shift more of the tax burden to parents and away from the very wealthy . They can do this by strengthening the EITC and CTC. Both tax credit programs significantly reduce the number of children living in poverty, and help working parents make ends meet and save for the future. There were significant improvements made to both of these tax credits in 2009 as part of the economic recovery package. Combined, these improved credits are currently helping 13 million households and over 26 million children. These tax credits are also stimulating our economy. Congressional focus on tax reform right now offers a key opportunity to make sure these improvements are extended permanently and no harmful cuts are made.

More than 100,000 children in PA are lifted out of poverty each year by the federal Earned Income Tax Credits and Child Tax Credits (EITC and CTC). The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Child Tax Credit (CTC) help working families make ends meet by both rewarding work and recognizing the additional expenses of raising children. These tax credits have a strong history of bipartisan support and have been praised and expanded by Republican and Democratic administrations alike. The EITC and CTC have an incredibly beneficial impact for children, families and the economy. Protect these essential tax credits and ask that 2009 enhancements to the credits be made permanent by adding your name to our sign-on letter. Read the letter and add your name.  For more information about the 2009 enhancements and the economic impact of these credits in Pennsylvania, check out PCCY's fact sheets.

Weekly Newsletter Week of January 28, 2013 Join Us Online! We're Providing FREE Prep Again This Year! Tell Your Friends! PathWays PA's Self Sufficiency team wants to remind you to take advantage of our free tax preparation service.  Our basic tax preparation service provides free tax filing for households whose income does not exceed $51,000.  We also want to reach tax filers who are disabled or who do not speak English as their first language.  Our goal is help tax filers access their Earned Income and other tax credits.   We are offering a number of  service locations , including SEPTA's Suburban Station where you can drop off you tax forms to be done while you are at work, or you can  make an appointment . This Week's Issues to Watch ::  IT'S THE LAST WEEK TO VOTE FOR OUR VIDEO ON PHILLY DOGOODER ::  ASK YOUR SENATOR TO SUPPORT VAWA REAUTHORIZATION ::  JOIN ONE BILLION RISING ON VALENTIN...

As we look at the deal made by Congress late last night, including what the deal covers and what it does not, it is important to know how we got to the fiscal cliff in the first place. Debt Ceiling:  The debt ceiling originally came about to prevent Congress from having to pass a new bill every time the Treasury Department wanted to float a bond.  In 1917, the first debt ceiling was created so that bonds could be issued up to that ceiling.  The limit has been increased many times over the years, most recently in 2011 . However, in order to pass the higher debt ceiling, Congress also had to agree to spending cuts to be made by the end of 2011 .  When the Congressional Super Committee could not come to an agreement , an automatic sequestration beginning January 1, 2013, came into effect. STATUS: The deal made on January 1, 2013, does not increase the debt ceiling. However, on December 21, 2012, Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner announced that federal bo...

According to Dr. Heidi Hartmann, President of the Institute for Women's Policy Research in Washington, it's likely to be women and kids who suffer first if sequestration   is implemented. Here's what she had to say when interviewed on the Equal Time With Martha Burk radio show. There are many, many things [that would be cut]. The Maternal and Child Health block grant, Title X Family Planning, the Child Care and Development block grant that supports Head Start, child support enforcement. Food stamps are cut to some extent, and other food supplements like school breakfast and lunch programs. There's unemployment insurance, Pell education grants, housing assistance, home energy assistance. We could go on and on.

Rent, groceries, medical bills, car payments... and the list goes on. Life is expensive, but believe it or not, tax season can actually help! That's because thousands of dollars are available as tax credits to many eligible families. Unfortunately, millions of dollars of these federal and state tax credits go unclaimed each year. So if you work or volunteer in an organization that serves low- or moderate- income families, join us to find out just how you can help them learn about these opportunities. Register Now: Attend two free online trainings to get the tools you need to spread the word about tax credits in your community. Part I - Tax Credits: What Families Need to Know Tuesday, October 16 at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Register Here This webinar will cover: Basic information about valuable federal and state tax credits for families, including: The federal EITC, which is worth up to $5,751 for low- and moderate-income families with children The federal Child Tax Credit, wh...

From our friends at the  Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center : The Pennsylvania General Assembly is considering legislation that would allow many Pennsylvania employers to hold on to the state income taxes paid by new employees. House Bill 2626, billed as an economic development strategy, provides a multi-year subsidy for existing companies to do what they do anyway: fill vacant positions. The bill is costly and will lead to more cuts to schools and services for children, seniors and people with disabilities. Please share your thoughts with your state lawmakers on this tax giveaway . The Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center has put together the Top 10 reasons why they feel this tax credit plan is a bad deal for Pennsylvania's taxpayers. Download a  printable version  of this  Top 10 List  at the  PA Budget and Policy Center's website .

Federal Policy Updates  HELP SUPPORT THE CHILD TAX CREDIT AND EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT Congressman Richard Neal is introducing a bill to continue the Child Tax Credit and the Earned Income Tax Credit in their current form for another year. In 2010, the Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit together lifted 9.2 million people out of poverty, including 4.9 million children. The improvements now scheduled to expire kept 1.6 million of these people out of poverty. For more information, see the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities' Studies Show Earned Income Tax Credit Encourages Work and Success in School and Reduces Poverty .  Organizations that support these program are being asked to show your support. All you have to do is to send an email to one of the following people by noon, Tuesday, July 17, saying that your organization (local, state, or national in scope) can be listed in support. Email Adam at Larose@cbpp.org or Stuart at Russell@cbpp.org . St...

By now, many of you have heard that a spending number has been set in Harrisburg for the 2012-2013 budget.  What remains to be seen is how the $27.66 billion will be spent.  Here is what we've been hearing: Rumors are that public schools and state universities will be funded at the same level as they were last year . The Educational Improvement Tax Credit may double from $75 million to $150 million. Erik Arneson, a spokesperson for Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi, said the budget will return some spending to K-12 and higher education, accountability block grant funding and county human services programs, as well as some additional funding for distressed school districts . As of now, General Assistance remains zeroed out in the state budget .  At this point, it is likely that if the program is not funded, most recipients will not learn of the funding cut until they get a letter in the mail in place of their July check. The Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Cent...

EITC outreach initiatives throughout the state, including our work at PathWays PA, are at risk of losing their funding from DPW in the upcoming fiscal year. Over 2000 families filed returns just with PathWays PA this year, giving them access to free, IRS-certified tax services, financial literacy tools, and quick refunds without paying high interest fees. Please take a moment to write to Secretary Alexander and to your legislators about the need for Earned Income Tax Outreach funding .

From our friends at the Fair Share Coalition On Thursday, June 14, at Noon, in Room 400, City Hall, City Council's Committee of the Whole will vote on Bill 120174, the repeal of the Cohen wage tax rebate law.  Since 2004, Philadelphia has had wage tax relief for low and moderate income workers, similar to the federal Earned Income Tax Credit and state Tax Back/Tax Forgiveness programs. But, the start date of the law has continuously been postponed, so that it is not scheduled to begin until 2016. Under the law, for example, a two-parent, two-child family with a household income up to $34,250 would be eligible to receive some of their wage taxes back. So would a one-parent, three-child family with an income up to $37,250. The law, championed by the late Councilman David Cohen, is the first and still only progressive wage tax legislation ever passed in Philadelphia. If you support the tax credit, you can do the following: call your District Councilperson and all At-Lar...

PathWays PA and Sovereign Bank invite you to get your taxes done for free! WHEN: Monday, April 16, 2012 10:00 a.m.— 4:00 p.m. WHERE: Sovereign Bank at Suburban Station, Concourse Level, 1500 Market Street in Philadelphia PathWays PA’s FREE Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program offers: IRS certified tax preparers specialized in maximizing tax credits Electronic filing of federal and state returns Direct deposit to bank accounts or prepaid debit cards, available on-site, for refunds within eight days to two weeks Purchase of US Savings Bonds simply by checking a box on your tax forms To schedule an appointment or receive further information, call Ann DelCollo at 1-800-209-2914 or 610-543-5022 x221. Walk-ins are welcome! Taxpayers MUST have Social Security Cards for taxpayer, spouse, and dependents. Proof of identification and all tax forms issued for the 2011 tax year are also required.

From our friends at NCTC Congress is currently deliberating over Fiscal Year 2013 appropriations – including Community VITA Matching Grant funding. One of our champions, Representative Xavier Becerra, has drafted a letter asking the Appropriations Committee to include $15 million to expand and strengthen the Community VITA program. Please call your U.S. Representative to ask them to sign on to this letter ! We're working under strict time constraints: signatures must be collected no later than 12:00 p.m. (noon Eastern) on Friday, March 16. Please take a moment to call the U.S. Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask to be connected to your Representative. This is an important step in ensuring that VITA programs have the support they need in order to assist millions of low- to moderate-income families across the nation. Act now! Call the U.S. Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask your U.S. Representative to sign on to Rep. Becerra's letter in support of VIT...

Be part of the Adoption Tax Credit Awareness Day today, February 13, 2012 -a national effort highlighting the federal tax credit available to adoptive families. Join with adoption organizations, state agencies, adoptive families, advocates, and other interested parties to raise visibility of the adoption tax credit. Help spread the word collectively, through website postings, email blasts, newsletters, social media, and other informational outlets, so eligible families that may not be aware of this benefit can be sure to access the credit. Families who adopted as far back as 2005 may still benefit if they haven't already. Be sure to include non-internet based strategies since some adoptive families do not have access to the internet. The Information: IRS Form 8839 Instructions: http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i8839.pdf IRS Form 8839: http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f8839.pdf IRS - adoption tax credit FAQ's: http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=231663,00.html Vo...

From our friends at NCTC To expand the capacity of VITA partners across the country, NCTC is working hard this year to authorize the VITA Act of 2011 , and local outreach in your Congressional district is a key part of the strategy. NCTC is asking our community partners to discuss the impact of VITA programs and the importance of refundable tax credits in promoting economic advancement for working Americans with their member of Congress during the August Congressional Recess (August 8-September 5). You can also ask the member of Congress to co-sponsor the VITA Act of 2011 (S.816 in the U.S. Senate or H.R. 2151 in the U.S. House of Representatives). As you may know, during the tax year 2009, VITA centers prepared 3.1 million tax returns across 12,326 sites and brought back approximately $1.6 billion in tax refunds to taxpayers whose average Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) was $18,800. The VITA Act of 2011 would ensure: Strong compliance among underserved taxpayer populations. Sig...

As part of Davidson's commitment to serve constituents in the 164th District, the free tax preparation services will be available to families with total household income of up to $50,000 per year to help them receive the federal Earned Income Tax Credit. "The Earned Income Tax Credit is a valuable program created in 1975 that helps working families and has been expanded under both Democratic and Republican presidents. It benefits everyone because it rewards work and reduces reliance on public assistance. i am proud to be hosting volunteers from the Campaign for Working Families and PathWays at my office to help residents of Upper Darby, East Lansdowne and Millbourne to file their federal taxes and receive this credit," Davidson said in a press release.  To read the full story, please visit The News of Delaware County's website.

(Employers or community organizations: Want to offer free tax preparation at your location? Call 610-543-5022 to schedule on site tax service today!) Path Ways PA offers FREE certified tax preparation at our Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites throughout Philadelphia and Delaware counties! FREE TAX PREPARATION is for taxpayers with an annual gross household income less than $50,000. Call 610-543-5022 or 1-800-209-2914 to schedule your FREE tax appointment today! Keep your full refund and save your money! No tax preparation fees No F-filing fees No check cashing fees Open a no-fee savings or prepaid debit card account Purchase a risk-free US Savings Bond Find out if you’re eligible for SNAP (food stamps) Taxpayers MUST bring all necessary identification and required tax statements for taxpayer, spouse and dependents. Locations: Delaware County 310 Amosland Road, Holmes, PA 19043 620 Engle Street, Chester, PA 19013 2501 Seaport Drive, Chester, PA 19013 Ph...

All are invited to attend DelCoAD's first annual Financial Services Fair at the Booker T. Washington Community Center in Chester on Saturday, February 12th from 10am-4pm at their premiere site, Chester Housing Authority's Booker T. Washington Community Center, 611 Central Avenue in Chester. DelCoAD, sponsored by Philadelphia Higher Education Network for Neighborhood Development (PHENND) and the United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania, is a member of the National Community Tax Coalition . Chester, PA-The rush for the tax refund is on and Volunteer Income Tax Assistance programs nationwide are working to assist taxpayers in accessing that refund free of cost. Delaware County Asset Development group, a consortium of agencies, educational and financial institutions sponsors nine of these sites in Delaware County. This year for the first time, DelCoAD and its partners are offering a day-long "Super Site"--a Financial Services Fair where anyone who made under $50,000 i...