Kick-off event to announce the city of Phoenix Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) campaign, which will provide Arizona’s low- and moderate-income working families who earned less than $48,362 last year with free tax-filing services and to receive a tax credit up to $5,666. The campaign has been recognized as a model for many cities throughout the United States.

The campaign goals are to increase public awareness of the EITC program, increase use of the program by offering free tax-filing services and provide a variety of asset-building services to guide residents through the process. The campaign also will reach out to the disability community through a partnership with the National Disability Institute and Arizona Bridge to Independent Living (ABIL).

In 2010, the city’s EITC program provided more than 4,500 families with $7.6 million in refunds. However, IRS and city officials estimate that thousands of Phoenix residents who were eligible to receive the federal EITC failed to claim their money. The city is partnering with many local organizations, utility companies, financial institutions, faith-based communities and schools to promote the EITC to families who are unaware of the program.