Councilmember Gabriel Albornoz Joins Philanthropic Partners to Recognize the Impact of VITA Volunteers

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, April 16, 2019

As taxpayers worked to meet the IRS filing deadline, County Councilmember Albornoz joined volunteers and staff at the County’s Community Action Agency’s office to acknowledge the impact of the free tax preparation assistance offered through the IRS’ Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program (VITA). Community Action’s VITA program serves residents earning $55,000 a year or less, targeting residents eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), as well as seniors, people with disabilities, and those with Limited English Proficiency.  This year, working at eight locations, the VITA team trained and supported seventy-six IRS certified volunteers, preparing taxes for more than 2,100 residents, bringing them more than $5 million dollars in refunds and credits. 

Albornoz was joined by staff from Councilmember Will Jawando’s office and Community Action Board members to acknowledge the contributions of volunteers.   They were joined by representatives from United Way of the National Capital Area and Citi Community Development Corporation, who provided $10,000 to support Montgomery's multilingual EITC and free tax outreach campaign, and financial education. 

The nationally-recognized EITC outreach campaign is delivered through the Community Action Agency in partnership with CAFE Montgomery and its new fiscal agent, the CASH Campaign of Maryland.  

 With outreach materials available in six languages, the EITC is one of the nation’s most successful anti-poverty efforts. In 2015, the EITC lifted about 6.5 million people out of poverty nationwide, including about 3.3 million children.  In Montgomery County, 55,492 households claim the EITC.  The federal EITC alone brings back more than $127 million in federal dollars to residents each year, and that amount is substantially higher when residents file for the Maryland credit, because Montgomery County matches the State EITC through its Working Families Income Supplement. 

To reach those newly eligible for the EITC, the campaign’s outreach included Ride-On bus ads, digital signage in County buildings, a webpage linking taxpayers with multiple organizations offering free tax help, and assistance through MC311, which answered 543 related requests. This year’s volunteers and staff spoke Amharic, Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, Dari, Farsi, French Creole, Hindi, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Thai, and Vietnamese.  

“We are so proud of your efforts to reach all of our county’s families and individuals, so they can claim the credit,” said Councilmember Albornoz, addressing the volunteers and partners.  “As chair of the Council’s HHS Committee, I appreciate the impact of the EITC in reducing poverty—especially among families with children.”

 

“I am thrilled to celebrate an exceptional program that has a direct impact on the lives of county residents, helping them to achieve self-sufficiency,” said Councilmember Will Jawando.  “Thank you to all of the VITA volunteers who serve the community in such an important way.”

 VITA will deliver free tax preparation between June and October for eligible residents to file 2018, 2017 or 2016 returns, with an IRS-certified acceptance agent available to help residents requiring an ITIN to file. The program also provides free tax help to eligible self-employed taxpayers. To learn more, visit montgomerycountymd.gov/CASHBACK or make an appointment after June 1^st by calling 240-777-1123. 

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Release ID: 19-126
Media Contact: Mary Anderson 240-777-6534