Preliminary results from the 2005 IDA Program Survey indicate that over 50% of IDA programs offer services that allow their clients to claim the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) from both the state and federal governments. The EITC can be a valuable tool for asset building if the refund is deposited in a savings account or IDA.

In 2000, the IRS established SPEC (Stakeholder Partnerships, Education and Communication) to improve taxpayer education, awareness, and assistance. IRS-SPEC cultivates partnerships with national and local organizations and businesses in coalitions that share mutual goals, including asset building. On the IRS-SPEC website you can find:

• EITC Resources, including an online EITC eligibility assessment tool, a practitioner toolkit, Q & A, and promotional materials.
• Information and contacts for partnering with the IRS on taxpayer education and assistance.

More resources for conducting EITC outreach campaigns and managing tax preparation sites are available from the National Community Tax Coalition (NCTC), a project of the Center for Economic Progress. A membership organization, NCTC is raising the visibility of the EITC as a tool to help low-income families. The website contains a resource library, contact information for local Coalition Affiliates, and advocacy opportunities.