 | What is "Earn It! Keep it! Save It!"? Earn It! Keep It! Save It! Bay Area is a United Way-led coalition that provides low-income families with free tax return preparation, assistance with filing tax credit claims, and asset building information. The program supports our goal of helping low-income families become self-sufficient and save money for their future and exemplifies the innovative investments and partnerships we support through United Way's Bay Area Community Fund. The Challenge One in four Bay Area families is stretched beyond its financial limits, forced to choose between essentials like putting food on the table or paying the rent. Although they work as hard as anyone, these families are often just one paycheck, one accident, or one medical emergency away from financial ruin. In addition, over $75 million in federal tax credits goes unclaimed by the Bay Area's working poor each year because they are unaware of the federal Earned Income Tax Credit, which refunds up to $4,300 to low-income working individuals and their families. These substantial tax credits can be the first step in helping families meet their every day needs, as well as save toward assets such as higher education, a first home or a new business. The Solution United Way created Earn It! Keep It! Save It! to galvanize our community's collective resources and reach thousands of workers who may be unaware of their eligibility for these significant tax refunds. The program is part of a national movement working to leverage the full potential of federal and local income tax credits to make work pay for low-income families and communities. For more information. visit www.EarnItKeepItSaveIt.org or contact Rhonda Smith, Community Programs Manager at the Children's Network at 707-421-7229. |