Campaign offers families
free tax preparation

By Tom Waring
Times Staff Writer

Kamila Elliott is in her fifth year preparing state and federal tax returns as a volunteer for the Campaign for Working Families.
Elliott, an accountant who serves as a relationship manager at Vanguard’s Malvern office, has prepared taxes in several areas of Philadelphia.
Last year, she spent the tax season at Northeast Regional Library, offering a free service for any Philadelphian making roughly $40,000 or less per year.
This year, she is set up in the Cottman Castor Shopping Center. It’s the first time the Campaign for Working Families has stationed a volunteer in a storefront.
Elliott expects to be busy.
"I’m familiar with the area, and there’s definitely a need," she said. "At the Northeast library, we had to turn people away. The storefront allows us more flexibility with hours."
The Campaign, which is managed by the Greater Philadelphia Urban Affairs Coalition, hosted a news conference last week at City Hall to announce the opening of 16 sites across Philadelphia that offer free tax preparation services.
Besides the location on Cottman Avenue, near Large Street, there’s one other local site, at Frankford Group Ministry.
In addition to the tax service, volunteers connect Philadelphians to other tax credits, public benefits and asset-building resources.
Mayor Michael Nutter, City Councilwoman Marian Tasco and state Rep. Babette Josephs, a Democrat from Center City, all spoke in favor of the program and the Earned Income Tax Credit.
Nutter declared Jan. 31 as "Earned Income Tax Credit Day" in Philadelphia. The program was created by the federal government in 1975.
Nationwide, advocates are trying to increase public awareness about the EITC, which is a tax benefit for individuals and families with children who earned less than $39,783. The income limit is $12,590 for those without children.
In Philadelphia, it is estimated that 39,000 eligible households do not file EITC claims, leaving about $66.3 million in unclaimed credits. The refunds can be up to $4,716 per year, based on family size and income.
In five years, the local Campaign for Working Families has brought $86 million directly into the homes of low-income working families. It has saved families an additional $14 million in interest, fees, loans, charges for tax preparation and check cashing.
This year, the goal is to recruit 450 volunteers, complete 12,500 tax forms and bring $21 million in refunds to people by the April 15 filing deadline.
Jean Hunt said the EITC has been supported by Republican and Democratic presidents. She explained that recipients often put some or all of their refunds back into the local economy. Some of them use the money to make mortgage payments, preventing foreclosure on their homes.
"If they do well, Philadelphia does well," she said.
Sharmain Matlock-Turner, president of the Greater Philadelphia Urban Affairs Coalition, said the tax service is about building wealth in urban communities.
Nutter stressed that the tax service was free and that forms can be filed electronically in less than an hour.
Jim Daugherty, a manager for IRS territory in Pennsylvania and Delaware, said the government agency supports the Campaign because of the passion of its staff and the dignity with which it treats the public.
Marisa Waxman, a senior researcher at the Economy League of Greater Philadelphia, volunteers at a tax site at 22nd and Tasker streets in South Philadelphia. She said she gains a sense of purpose as a volunteer, watching individuals use their refunds to make home repairs or enroll in classes at Community College of Philadelphia.
Arthur Liebersohn, a bankruptcy lawyer who volunteers at a tax site in Center City, said he gets satisfaction out of his efforts. He talks to clients who use their refunds to pay the rent or bills. For those who prefer to save their money, he recommends a Roth IRA.
"All you have to do is go to your bank," he said.
Elliott, the Vanguard manager, describes her work as rewarding. Her volunteer job is sponsored by Vanguard, which sees the program as an extension of its corporate mission to empower consumers financially.
"It’s a great program. It’s very rewarding. You’re helping someone. It’s immediate gratification," she said.
All information is confidential, and the office includes a shredder.
Elliott welcomes eligible people to visit the office. No appointment is necessary, though she asks that folks don’t show up five minutes before closing. They just need to bring their tax forms and sign some documents.
Refunds will be in mailboxes in no time.
"We submit to the IRS directly," Elliott said. "When we e-file returns, the usual turnaround time for refunds is two weeks." ••
Reporter Tom Waring can be reached at 215-354-3034 or twaring@phillynews.com

How to get free help . . .
The Campaign for Working Families is offering a free tax preparation service for Philadelphians who earned $40,000 or less in 2007.
There are two local sites where IRS-certified volunteers will prepare the taxes.
A storefront in the Cottman Castor Shopping Center is open weekdays from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The other location is at Frankford Group Ministry, at 4620 Griscom St. Its hours are 4:30 to 7 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays.
New volunteers are welcome. No experience is necessary. Free IRS training and certification will be provided.
To become a volunteer or for more information on the service, call 215-686-2599 or visit www.phillyfreetaxes.org