Tax prep volunteers recognized for their services

CHARLESTON -- West Virginia regional outreach coordinators and volunteer tax preparers who helped taxpayers with their earned income tax credit gathered last week at the Clay Center for a day of recognition and thanks.

The West Virginia Alliance for Sustainable Families, West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources and Internal Revenue Service sponsored the third annual EITC Volunteer Celebration. Since 2004, the seven regional coalitions partnered with nonprofit agencies, employers and community leaders to ensure that eligible families claim the tax credit.

The earned income tax credit is a credit for low- and moderate-income workers and their families. The credit is refundable, which means eligible workers get the EITC benefit even if they owe little or no income tax. The Federal EITC lifts more children out of poverty than any other means-tested program.

Over the past four years, the Bounce Back Campaign has doubled the number of EITC claims and monies received through its Volunteer Income Tax Assistance sites.

For the 2008 tax season, the Southwest Asset Building Coalition (formerly the Southwest Earned Income Tax Credit Coalition) had 50 volunteers prepare 824 tax returns with $116,411 in Earned Income Tax Credits for a total return of $351,272.

Coalition volunteers saw a large increase in the number of tax returns filed this past season because of the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008. Stimulus returns varied from $600 to $1,800 plus in payments.

First Lady Gayle Manchin presented each volunteer with an award.