(Miami, FL) City of Miami Mayor Manny Diaz will launch the City’s 2008 EITC and free tax preparation campaign at a press conference on Wednesday, January 30, 2008 at 10:00 a.m., at Jungle Island Ballroom, 1111 Parrot Jungle Trail.

At the launch, information will be available regarding the over 30 City-sponsored locations that will be offering free tax preparation services as part of this year’s campaign. Eligible residents who file their tax returns at these sites can learn if they qualify to receive a federal income tax refund of up to $4,700 via the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and up to an additional $1,000 per child via the Child Tax Credit (CTC). There will also be more information about the City’s new Benefit Bank locations offering access to Federal and State benefits, such as Food Stamps, cash assistance and Medicaid.

EITC tax credits can result in sizable refunds for low-income working families and help millions of individuals out of poverty nationwide. Each year, thousands of eligible households in the City of Miami fail to claim this entitlement, leaving millions of dollars worth of EITC benefits unclaimed. The City’s free and low-cost tax preparation campaign thus far has produced over $58 million in EITC returns and more than $142 million in total refunds while providing a valuable service to over 9,200 low- to moderate-income residents each year. This program saves them more than $840,000 in tax preparation fees. 

Partners in the 2008 campaign include the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Eastern Financial Credit Union, Dade County Credit Union, the Benefit Bank, and the City’s Economic Initiatives and Neighborhood Enhancement Team (NET) department. The City is also proud to renew its partnership this year with H & R Block to offer discounted tax preparation to City residents at 13 H&R Block locations City-wide.