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January 12, 2007
Chase Foundation Awards $32,500 Grant to Consumer Credit Counseling Services for Tax Help Montana
Consumer Credit Counseling Services has been awarded $32,500 by the national J.P. Morgan Chase Foundation. The grant is for Tax Help Montana, an IRS approved Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program.
Tax Help Montana is a coalition of service agencies, led by Consumer Credit Counseling Services and the Montana Credit Union Network, that trains volunteers for income tax return preparation. At 17 sites across the state moderate and low income Montanans can have their taxes prepared free of charge. In 2006, Tax Help prepared nearly 4,000 returns free of charge. CCCS also offers an electronic refund option for those without bank accounts.
CCCS hopes that more Montanans will take advantage of numerous tax credits that account for a sizeable amount of refund opportunities. Over 73 thousand Montanans received nearly $123 million in Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) refunds in 2006. In addition to EITC, many Montanans also qualify for the Child Tax Credit and/or Dependent Care Credit both of these make up considerable refund dollars. Tax Help Montana volunteers are well trained in the variety of tax credits offered.
“Many people who are eligible for these credits do not file a return which leaves a substantial amount of federal money unclaimed in Montana,” Said Tom Jacobson, CCCS President. “Our goal is to educate our community so that these dollars are leveraged in our local economy instead of in federal coffers.”
Participant polled in the previous two years were most likely to use their refunds for paying bills and personal expenses (67%); purchasing consumer items such as an automobiles, computers or furniture/appliances (39%); or establishing savings accounts, 31%.
The Chase Foundation grant specifically underwrites education and outreach services related to Tax Help Montana. The program meets the Chase Foundations goals of community asset development by encouraging, sustaining, and developing economic self-reliance.
Volunteer opportunities for Tax Help Montana are still available. To learn more contact Karen Heisler or Katherine LaBeau at 406.761.8721. For information on this program visit www.montanafreefile.org.
