Community Engagement

Tax Preparation for Low-Income Families: Reducing Poverty through the EITC and Other Social Benefits

Faculty Sponsored Project

Agency / community partners: Creating Assets, Savings & Hope (CASH) of Buffalo & Erie County is a coalition of over 60 organizations committed to serving hard working, low income families and individuals by offering free income tax preparation and other financial assistance.

This independent study provides students with opportunities to participate in the free tax preparation program that assists low-income families with completing and filing their income tax forms. The purposes of the program are to: (a) ensure that eligible low-income families claim the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credits, important poverty-alleviating mechanisms; (b) help low-income families avoid utilizing higher-cost paid tax preparers; and (c) reduce low-income families’ exposure to high interest refund anticipation loans. Students will screen low-income families for eligibility for the Earned Income Tax Credit and other social benefits. Interested students can also be trained and certified by the Internal Revenue Service to complete families’ income tax forms. Students will be introduced to economic self-sufficiency initiatives in the Greater Buffalo area and expand their knowledge about social welfare programs that can benefit low-income individuals and families.

Contact: Diane Elze, Associate Professor, 645-3381, Ext. 271