Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 4, 2007

Contact: Rhonda Smith, Community Programs Manager

Telephone: 707.421.7229

Email: rsmith@childnet.org

Volunteers Needed to Help Low-Income Tax Payers -- Training Sessions Begin January 13

Many low-to-moderate income families might miss out on some of the special tax credits that they are entitled to for 2006 without the help of trained volunteer tax preparers. The United Way of the Bay Area and the IRS are working with community based and nonprofit organizations throughout Solano County to make sure that certain deductions and/or credits are not overlooked. The Children's Network of Solano County is serving as the coordinator for this local effort, known as the EARN IT! KEEP IT! SAVE IT! Campaign.

Volunteers are being sought now to help taxpayers who qualify fill-out and file their returns. Volunteer must attend a total of three training sessions set for January 13, 20 and 27 to become a certified Volunteer Tax Assistor. The training sessions are free.

Persons interested in volunteering should call 707-421-7229 for more information or visit the Children's Network website at www.childnet.org.

People from all walks of life are invited to apply to become a volunteer, including college students, law students, homemakers, retirees, members of civic and community groups and business persons. In addition to helping people fill-out their returns, volunteers are also needed to serve as interpreters for bi-lingual clients, help set-up and staff tax preparation sites and to do publicity for each site (these additional roles do not require attendance at training). Earn It! Keep It! Save It! sites will be located throughout Solano County (Fairfield, Vallejo, Benicia, Rio Vista and Dixon), and all assistance will be provided free of charge to the taxpayer.

Last year, the EARN IT! KEEP IT! SAVE IT! Campaign in Solano County trained 31 volunteers who helped file 550 returns, which resulted in a total of $583,842 in refunds to low-income taxpayers in Solano County.