Miami Mayor Manny Diaz addresses attendees at Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) press conference. More than 9,200 low-to moderate income residents have received benefits each year. /Photo: Jorge R. Perez/City of Miami.

(Miami, FL)-  City of Miami Mayor Manny Diaz launched the 2008 Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and free tax preparation campaign today during a press conference held at Jungle Island Ballroom, 1111 Parrot Jungle Trail.

Over 30 City-sponsored locations will be offering free tax preparation services as part of this year’s campaign, with services provided from January 30th through April 15th. 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). In addition to tax preparation, most of the sites will also offer city residents Benefit Bank services, which connect them with Federal and State benefits, such as Food Stamps, cash assistance and Medicaid.

“The Earned Income Tax Credits provide such sizable refunds for low-income working families that millions of individuals are helped out of poverty nationwide due to these credits.” said Mayor Diaz. “Our goal continues to be to ensure that as many of the thousands of eligible households in the City of Miami which fail to claim this entitlement annually, are provided with the knowledge and the service needed to receive this benefit.”

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 more than 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.

Residents interested in scheduling a tax preparation appointment at one of the City-sponsored sites, or City-affiliated H&R Block sites, can call 311. 

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About the Benefit Bank: The Benefit Bank is an internet-based software designed to help low/moderate income families get the tax credits, health care, food and other benefits that have been created to help them lift themselves out of poverty.  Programs include food stamps, children’s health insurance, federal income tax, energy assistance, and voter registration, just to name a few.
The City of Miami’s FREE tax preparation sites (2008) are listed below. Residents are encouraged to call 311 to schedule an appointment.

Super Sites (free tax preparation, in cooperation with the IRS):
Hours of Operation: Mondays-Thursdays, 6-9 p.m.
Saturdays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.