Campaign for Working Families

The Campaign for Working Families increases the number of people who receive free tax filing assistance, without having to pay the fees associated with commercial tax preparers. the organization operates 11 community based tax sites and offers e-filing, direct deposit, Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) completion, and fairly-priced financial products to help clients save money. The service allows families to maximize federal and state tax credits, including the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).

The goal of this campaign is to help families close the gap between their income and their expenses, and develop financial assets by connecting them to advice about non-predatory, quality financial services, savings options, wealth building resources, credit building, and public benefits.

Over the past 8 years, the Campaign has prepared and e-filed 90,610 tax returns and brought $146.4 million in state and federal refunds to working families throughout Philadelphia. The Campaign's free tax prep services have saved these families an additional $20.2 million in interest, fees and charges for tax preparation and check cashing, and loans. The average adjusted gross income of tax customers served at Campaign sites is $19,625.

For tax year 2010, 610 IRS-certified volunteers spent 15,398 hours staffing 11 free tax preparation sites. The volunteers completed 11,748 tax returns, including 591 small business returns, and secured $22.2 million in state and federal tax refunds. The campaign offered 716 new banking savings products, including pre-paid debit cards, savings bonds, and savings accounts. The service also completed 396 FAFSA and public benefit applications (Food Stamps, CHIP, MediCal, LIHEAP).