The Opportunity

After first publishing The Federal Tax Guide for Foster, Adoptive and Kinship Caregivers in 2007, the National Foster Parent Association (NFPA) in Tacoma, Washington wanted to identify additional ways to help foster parents receive guidance and specialized tax assistance to file their tax returns.

“When it comes to this population, there are a lot of tax concerns that VITA trainings do not cover and even sending a foster parent to a paid preparer can result in mistakes on the tax return,” says Christin Kundert, former Program Services Director for NFPA.  “Tax preparers don’t always know how to treat foster care payments and sometimes incorrectly conclude foster parents are ineligible for the EIC and CTC because they receive support through foster care payments.  As a foster parent, I know first hand how overwhelming it can be to have to independently navigate through the tax filing process.  Others shouldn’t do it alone like I did, but foster parents need to be able to trust that if they go to a tax professional they will receive complete and thorough service.”

Christin Kundert, 2006 Train-the-Trainer Participant.

The Opportunity Fulfilled

“It was clear that we would have to provide the specialized training for tax preparers on the specific tax issues related to foster care,” states Christin.  Initially, NFPA decided to pilot a project to conduct training on those issues with VITA volunteers in King County.  When coordinating the logistics of the training became too challenging for all of the VITA sites involved, Christin decided on an alternative:  Enrolled Agents, or tax preparers whom the federal government has authorized to represent taxpayers before the IRS for audits, collections, and appeals.  A former Enrolled Agent herself, Christin knew that these tax professionals would be able to assist foster parents with their tax returns.

Christin conducted a training for 30 Enrolled Agents on tax issues related to foster care so that they could provide their specialized skills to foster parents at ten different locations throughout the state on February 28, 2009, which NFPA designated as tax day for foster parents.  Some Enrolled Agents also offered their services to foster parents at a discounted rate during the rest of the tax season.  The Washington State Society of Enrolled Agents arranged a special toll-free number for foster parents to call Enrolled Agents for assistance.

“Enrolled Agents are used to working with higher-income taxes, so this provided a chance to become more familiar with lower-income taxes,” recalls Christin.  “Enrolled Agents were enthusiastic about their participation, since the change of pace in taxes was like a break for them and they felt that they were giving back to the community.”

This pilot project was successful enough that NFPA is now working with the National Association of Enrolled Agents to create a national model for a partnership between Tax Credit Outreach Campaigns and local Enrolled Agents to provide free tax assistance to foster parents.

Through this experience, Christin learned some key lessons about developing successful collaborations.

Click here to find out Christin’s 4 Tips for Building Effective Partnerships.

Christin Kundert worked with the National Foster Parent Association for 5 years.  For more information about the partnership with the National Association of Enrolled Agents email: ckservices@msn.com.

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Have you used these tips before?  What has been important for you to form fruitful partnerships?

Suggested Outreach Activities

IRS EITC Awareness Day Web page

National Community Tax Coalition Resources

“Outreach Strategies” Complete Guide 2010

“Your Tax Credit Outreach Campaign: What You Need to Know” Complete Guide 2010