When Elizabeth Trapp and Eastern Michigan University educate graduate students about the EIC and CTC, the lessons reach far beyond the classroom.

The Opportunity

Elizabeth Trapp was a graduate student in the Master of Social Work (MSW) program at Eastern Michigan University — and also the Aquatics instructor at the Ann Arbor YMCA — when she attended the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities’ Tax Credit Outreach Training Seminar in 2007. Inspired by the two days in Washington, Elizabeth returned home riding a wave of enthusiasm, eager to put to work all she had learned. She soon realized a tremendous opportunity was right in front of her: all the students in her program were completing field placements in community-based organizations.  Their involvement could be the start of community-wide tax credit outreach activities!  In order to encourage groups to embrace tax credit outreach, Elizabeth had to ensure that students understood why the credits could mean more than just a refund check for families and convince them their investment of time and effort would be worthwhile.

Elizabeth Trapp, 2007 Train-the-Trainer Participant.

The Opportunity Fulfilled

Elizabeth’s first step was to seek the cooperation of her professors, several of whom agreed to display “Money Talks” posters on their office doors. Next, Elizabeth dove into the deep end of the pool: She created a community tax credit outreach training model that “spoke the language” of the MSW students and showed them how to incorporate outreach into their field placements.   Elizabeth tied the training to the course curriculum of the ‘Empowerment: Social Justice and Social Change” class by assigning two relevant academic articles and asking students to discuss and write about the environmental factors affecting Michigan’s low-wage workers.  Elizabeth facilitated a brainstorming session to help students explore the connection between refundable tax credits and both individual and community empowerment.  For example, on the micro level, the tax credits can enable a family to take control of its finances, and on the macro level, the credits can help reduce income disparities.

Finally, students were asked to commit to specific outreach activities for the upcoming tax season.  For example, Elizabeth reports, “Students who are case managers agree to inform every client about tax credits.  Students working in other capacities generally commit to educating their coworkers about outreach, and to utilizing tax credit flyers and posters.”   Since many students continue to work at their field placement agencies or similar organizations after graduating, the tax credit trainings for MSW students have a lasting impact. Over the years Elizabeth has observed an increase in tax credit outreach activities in her community.

Following her own graduation, Elizabeth continued to conduct trainings for MSW students each fall, as well as for fellow YMCA staff and a group of non-traditional students in a scholarship program at Eastern Michigan University. She coordinates with the local 2-1-1 agency to publicize free tax preparation sites and helps her training participants to connect with a local women’s resource center that educates tax preparation clients about how they can file for themselves in the future.  “People think tax credits are overwhelming” Elizabeth says.  “The trainings show students that sharing basic information can change lives and have a big impact. In this economy, we need as much help as possible to reach people who are eligible for the EIC and CTC, especially those who may qualify for the first time.”

It’s true.  For many families who are treading water these days, the credits can play a role in determining whether they sink or swim.  Elizabeth’s efforts have undoubtedly helped many stay afloat.

Share with us:

What groups exist in your community (such as MSW students) who can help advance local tax credit outreach efforts?

How can you “speak the language” of the group and tailor your outreach approach?

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.

Share with us:

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