2008 Earned Income Tax Credit Campaign Launched

Free Tax Prep Available Throughout Delaware

Delaware State Treasurer Jack Markell, New Castle County Executive Chris Coons, Wilmington Mayor James Baker, Reverend Clifford Johnson, and Mary Dupont, Executive Director of Nehemiah Gateway Community Development Corporation joined with community and business leaders to launch the 2008 Delaware Earned Income Tax Credit Campaign.

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) benefits families who earn less than $39,000 per year. The tax refund can be up to $4,700 per year, depending on family size and income.

"Over the six years that we've had our campaign, we've literally seen the EITC transform people's lives by connecting these workers with money that is already theirs," State Treasurer Jack Markell said. "In the face of ever rising energy costs, increases in healthcare costs, and the challenge of saving money for the future, the EITC can give a real step up, and provide a means for working families to do more financially."

The Nehemiah Gateway Community Development Corporation, coordinator of the project, has trained a record 600 volunteers to prepare taxes at 22 sites throughout the state.

"The Earned Income Tax Credit offers a much-needed helping hand to hard-working but low-income Americans by reducing their tax burden," Wilmington Mayor James Baker said. "Anything we can do to help out working class families-including single income households-is a step in the right direction."

"Each year, hundreds of volunteers use county libraries and other community centers to help working families reduce their income tax burden. New Castle County is proud to support the Delaware Earned Income Tax Credit Campaign and give working families a helping hand," said County Executive Chris Coons.

For many low-income workers tax time is eagerly anticipated as a time when money will be flowing through their refunds. In addition to Free Tax Preparation and Electronic Filing, the Tax Sites have added on-site Financial Resource Centers to help taxpayers expand the "money moment" to have a more lasting and positive financial impact. The array of services offered include the opening of savings accounts, Certificates of Deposit, and savings bonds, to help customers put a small portion of their refund away for a rainy day. Tax customers will also be able to receive a free copy of a scored credit report, a direct referral for credit counseling or repair, and a personal screening for eligibility of state benefits. Trained volunteer "Cash Coordinators" will work one-on-one with customers who wish to avail themselves of these services. In addition, tax customers will receive referrals to community programs such as financial literacy workshops and matched savings. Organizers envision the tax sites as a one-stop shop for services and information that can help workers get the most out of the tax code and use their refunds as a doorway to financial opportunities.

"Last year's campaign brought almost $18 million back to over 12,000 working Delawareans," Mary Dupont, Executive Director of Nehemiah Gateway Community Development Corp. said. "While our customers have money on their minds, we want to assist them to capture the money moment by offering a complete array of savings products and free merged credit reports that will help them save for tomorrow and make wise financial choices today."

Free tax prep site locations:

Sussex County:

• Georgetown - First State Community Action Agency, Central Sussex Building, 211 North Race Street, Saturday 9am - 3pm (Se habla Espanol)
• Georgetown Public Library, 10 West Pine Street, Monday 11am - 2pm
• Georgetown - DelTech Community College, Owens Campus, Student Services Center, (staff dining hall / Big Flag), Monday, Wednesday & Thursday 5 - 9pm
• Laurel - St. Phillips Episcopal Church, South Central Avenue, Monday 6 - 9pm & Saturday 9am - 1pm
• Lewes Public Library, 111 Adams Avenue, Thursday 1 - 4pm
• Seaford Public Library, 402 North Porter Street, Friday 10am - 1pm

Kent County:

• Dover - Modern Maturity Center, 1121 Forrest Ave (RT 8), Tuesday & Thursday 5 - 9pm & Saturday 9am - 3pm
• Dover - Wilmington University, Rt 13 at Scarborough Rd, Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 10am - 2pm
• Milford - Reformation Lutheran Church, 613 Lakeview Ave, Tuesday & Thursday 6 - 9pm
• Smyrna - Christiana Health & Wellness Center, 2nd Floor Conference Room, 201 North Main Street, Monday & Thursday 4 - 7pm
• Mobile Tax Van, sponsored by First State Community Action Agency with locations in Kent and Sussex Counties, evening and weekend hours. For details visit: www.firststatecca.org.

New Castle County:

• Claymont - Claymont Community Center, 3301 Green Street, Tuesday & Thursday 6 - 9pm & Saturday 9am - 3pm
• Elsmere - Elsmere Town Hall, 11 Poplar Ave, Monday & Wednesday 6 - 9pm (closed first Wednesday of the month)
• Middletown - Appoquinimink Library, 651 North Broad Street, Saturday 11am - 3pm
• New Castle - Rosehill Community Center, 191 Lambson Lane, Monday & Wednesday, 6 - 9pm
• Newark - Boys & Girls Club of Greater Newark, 1 Positive Place, Rt 40, Monday 6 - 9pm & Saturday 9am - 3pm
• Newark - Newark Library, 750 Library Ave, (East Main Street entrance), Thursday & Saturday 10am - 2pm
• Newark - New Ark United Church of Christ, 300 East Main Street (across from Newark Library), Monday & Thursday 6 - 9pm
• Newark - Bear Library, 101 Governor's Pl (Rt 40), Wednesday 5 - 8pm

Wilmington

• Wilmington - West End Neighborhood House, 8th & Scott Streets (Child Development Center), Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday 6 - 9pm and Saturday 9am - 3pm
• Wilmington - Ezion Mt. Carmel United Methodist Church, 8th & Walnut Streets, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday 9am - 1pm & Saturday 9am - 4pm (appointments also available)
• Wilmington - Shiloh Baptist Church, 23rd & Washington Streets, Monday, Thursday 6 - 9pm & Saturday 9am - 3pm
• Wilmington - JobCorps Center, 9 Vandever St., (near the corner of Market), Tuesday & Wednesday 6 - 9pm

For a complete listing of all free tax site times site times and dates of operation, and for more information, please call the Delaware Helpline at 800/464-4357.

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Last Updated: Monday, 14-Jan-2008 13:03:27 EST