MAYOR MANNY DIAZ LAUNCHES 3RD ANNUAL EARNED INCOME CREDIT AND CHILD CARE TAX CREDIT AWARENESS CAMPAIGN

 

-Campaign expands in scope to reach a greater number of residents in 2005-

 

January 27, 2005 - (Miami, FL) - City of Miami Mayor Manny Diaz, in a press conference earlier today, launched an extensive campaign to make residents aware that they may be eligible to receive federal income tax refund of up to $4,300 via the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and up to an additional $1000 per child via the Child Tax Credit (CTC).  This extensive awareness campaign will run until April 15^th.

 

“My top priority continues to be helping families and individuals who maintain employment but continue to struggle to meet their most basic needs,” said Mayor Diaz. “Last year’s results prove that the EITC Awareness campaign is a successful method through which the City can help put money into the pockets of Miami’s working poor. There is still much work to be done, but by continuing our proven outreach methods and complimenting them with our exciting new partnerships this year, I expect even more positive results this tax season.”

 

These tax credits not only reduce federal income tax bills, but can also result in a sizable refund for low-income working families. The EITC annually helps 4.8 million individuals out of poverty nationwide—more than half of which are children. Each year, thousands of the eligible households in the City of Miami fail to claim this entitlement, leaving tens of millions of dollars worth of EITC benefits unclaimed.

 

Since its inception in 2002, the City’s EITC campaign has enjoyed continued success. In 2004, 80,095 City of Miami residents successfully claimed these credits for a value of $155 million. Last year alone the City witnessed an increase of $2.2 million. The outreach campaign is part of a broader City-wide Poverty Initiative. Among the initiatives’ priorities is maximizing existing resources available to Miami’s residents.

 

In addition to the existing free tax preparation sites presented in conjunction with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the City’s EITC campaign has been expanded in 2005 through an exciting new partnership with H & R Block to offer discounted tax preparation.      

 

Call Center & Phone Bank

 

A campaign call center and phone bank is open to service calls from the public with questions. The attendants will help individuals determine their eligibility and direct them to local tax preparation centers. Residents can dial the call center via (305) 649- 1313.

 

 

 

Free Tax Preparation Sites

 

Five Neighborhood Enhancement Team (NET) Offices are being used as free tax preparation sites. Those offices are in Allapattah, Coral Way, Little Haiti, West Little Havana and the Homeless Assistance Center. The City is also sponsoring 2 Super Site Centers where volunteers from the City of Miami, Miami-Dade College, Florida International University and the IRS which will provide free tax preparation four times a week, between the hours of 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Super Site Centers are the Orange Bowl Stadium’s Athletic Club and Corpus Christi Community Service Center.    

 

H & R Block Pilot Program

 

In an attempt to reach more EIC and CTC eligible residents, the City has partnered with
H & R Block on an exciting new pilot program. The multi-year partnership developed because both the City and H&R Block share a mutual desire to help more eligible Miami residents receive the benefits of EIC and CTC.   H & R Block has agreed to significantly reduce tax preparation prices for EIC and CTC for eligible Miami taxpayers.  “We are pleased to have established a partnership with the City of Miami and believe that together we can have a significant impact in the lives of many working families in Miami,” stated Bernie Wilson,vice president of H&R Block.

 

For those residents who may not currently have a bank account, H & R Block will also be making available the low-cost, limited-use Debit Plus Visa® card. The taxpayer’s refund is deposited directly to the account within eight to 15 days and can be used wherever Visa debit cards are accepted, providing alternatives from refund loans and the fees associated with  check cashing. In addition, H&R Block will waive the set-up costs to open and Express IRA retirement savings account that can be funded from a taxpayer’s refund during the tax interview process.     

 

Media Outreach

 

Mayor Diaz will be appearing on numerous local television and radio programs to talk about EITC and CTC. An IRS representative will join the Mayor during these media visits to field any technical questions.  Local radio and television stations will also be provided with public service announcements created by the City’s Office of Communications that they may air on their stations. City of Miami TV (channel 9) will also be airing the announcements to keep City residents informed about eligibility requirements and where to obtain more information.

 

Direct Mail to Local Tax Preparers

 

Letters will be sent to local tax professionals in the City of Miami reminding them of the importance of the EITC and CTC and asking them to assist their clients in claiming these benefits. Targeted professionals include local notaries, insurance companies, and businesses that provide immigration, check cashing, and other financial services.  Local polling indicates that many Haitian and Hispanic City residents utilize the service of local professional preparers.  Given the high level of satisfaction reported by those sampled, the campaign is appealing to these individuals and businesses for their assistance. 

 

Outreach to City Residents

 

Many methods will be employed to directly engage city residents including three direct mail pieces to residents with information about the credits, billboards and bus shelter posters and door knob hangers which the City’s Solid Waste Department will distribute during scheduled trash pickup days.

 

Also a component of this year’s campaign is the newly refurbished CityMobile. presented in cooperation with Navarro Pharmacies, Citibank and Office Depot.  The CityMobile, which will be an active component of the EITC and CTC campaign, is a mobile tax preparation vehicle staffed with volunteers and computers that will be used at various sites during tax season. The CityMobile will also be used in the future to bring various city services closer to Miami’s constituents

 

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