COMMUNITY MATTERS
		Earn It. Keep It. Save It. Campaign Aims for $80 Million

According to a 2006 study completed for United Way of Salt Lake, as many as 40,000 eligible households in Utah do not take advantage of the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) – leaving between $50 and $80 million unclaimed each year. United Way of Salt Lake’s “Earn it. Keep it. Save it.” Campaign is a collaboration of dozens of public and private organizations assisting low-income individuals and families statewide to claim the EITC through Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites (free tax preparation sites). Over 40 sites exist statewide and are operated by broad based local coalitions in Cache County, Weber County, Salt Lake County, Utah County and Washington County.

Last year, more than 300 volunteers helped over 10,000 Utah families prepare and file their taxes, bringing in nearly $10 million in federal tax credits and tax refunds. This year we are working to increase the number of families helped to 15,000 – but to do that we will need a significant number of new volunteers. Tax volunteers are trained on-line using the IRS “Link and Learn” program and commit to provide at least three hours of time each week between January 15 and April 15.

This volunteer opportunity is extremely rewarding and makes a tremendous difference both to the families that are helped, as well as to our economy. Imagine spending an hour with a father or mother struggling to pay their bills and being able to help them secure the financial resources to stabilize their financial situation, or even put a down-payment on a house. Beyond simply providing tax assistance, however, our volunteers also help connect families to important community resources and asset-building opportunities such as Utah Saves.

You don’t need to be a tax expert to help in this important project. If you have ever done your own taxes you will be able to certify as an IRS-trained VITA volunteer and make a meaningful difference in the lives of financially struggling Utahns. Please lend a hand by logging on to www.utahtaxvolunteer.org and volunteering your time and tax expertise to helping those in need.

Deborah S. Bayle
President and CEO