Quick Facts

• As many as 40,000 households fail to file for the EITC
• Up to $80 million in federal EITC money is left unclaimed by Utahns each year.
• An increase of 10,000 households that qualify for EITC could bring an additional $17 million in direct payments to Utah – generating up to $63 million in additional economic activity.
• In 2010 Earn it. Keep it. Save it. distributed over 7 million in EITC alone.
• There are over 30 partners that contribute to Earn it. Keep it. Save it.

Who We Serve

Rural Utah.
Our rural communities often have less access to services but more need. Through Remote File Earn it. Keep it. Save it. is able to reach more rural communities ensuring that taxes are prepared and people save an average of $187 in tax preparation fees!

Low–to moderate–income Households.
With the VITA income being as high as $50,000 Earn it. Keep it. Save it. is able to serve a wide range of households. However, the average income is only $18,000!

Refugees.
Utah is unique in that each year is receives Refugees from all over the world. In 2010 two fairs were held to meet the tax needs of this population. Working with Catholic Community Services, the IRC, and the ESL center the GAIN coalition prepared 75 returns.

English as a Second Language Households.
In 2010 1,668 households were served that primarily spoke a language other than English in the home. A significant barrier to filing taxes is language and Earn it. Keep it. Save it. coalitions actively recruit bi-lingual tax preparers and appropriate outreach materials when necessary.

People with Disabilities.
Utah has a persons with disabilities rate of about 9%. In 2010 Earn it. Keep it. Save it. served 1,211 households that identified as having a person with a disability in the home. While much of this population works it is important to work with them at tax time to ensure they get the money they’ve earned without losing benefits.

Partnership of community volunteers

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) is a partnership of community volunteers, public and private agencies, the statewide Earn it. Keep it. Save it. coalition, and the IRS that works together to organize and operate free tax preparation (VITA) sites that serve low-to-moderate income households. Public and private partnerships are crucial to the success of VITA and the Utah economy and helped bring in over 22 Million dollars into Utah. Partners can host a site, provide volunteers, sponsor a site, or even help volunteers be recognized. Through these efforts businesses, non-profits, and public agencies increase their visibility in their community, directly impact the economy through tax refunds and credits, and promote a healthy and sustainable Utah.

Click Here to see a listing of entities that are investing in Utah through partnering with Earn it. Keep it. Save it.

Earn it. Keep it. Save it. Facts

• 30% of VITA volunteers hear about VITA from their employer.
• The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 expanded the Earned Income Tax Credit to include a temporary increase for taxpayers with three or more qualifying children and raised the maximum EITC to $5,657.
• In 2010 Earn it. Keep it. Save it. distributed over 7 million in EITC alone.
• There are over 30 partners that contribute to Earn it. Keep it. Save it.
• Working individuals and families making less than $50,000 per household may qualify for free tax preparation.
• Almost all of the 616 volunteers are certified by the IRS as a tax preparer
• More than $2.9 million is saved in tax preparation fees annually by tax filers using VITA sites.

How can my organization, church, business, or school participate with the Earn it. Keep it. Save it. coalition?

Employers

• Distribute Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) fliers/brochures.
• Display Earn it. Keep it. Save it. (EIKISI) event posters.
• Send one or more emails reminding employees of VITA services.
• Post an article within internal newsletter describing VITA services.
• Enclose a VITA flyer with payroll.
• Display a VITA reminder on internal computer system.
• Place a link to EIKISI on company website.
• Host a temporary VITA site on location to be utilized by employees and the local community.
• Encourage employees to volunteer with EIKISI.
• Invite an EIKISI member to present to your employees.
• Host a permanent VITA site on location for the local community.

Financial Institutions

• Distribute Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) fliers/brochures at your branch locations.
• Display Earn it. Keep it. Save it. (EIKISI) event posters.
• Enclose VITA flyers in statement envelopes.
• Feature the VITA program and place a link to EIKISI on company website.
• Provide financial literacy at EIKISI events.
• Host a temporary VITA site on location to be utilized by both employees and patrons.
• Encourage employees to volunteer with EIKISI.
• Invite an EIKISI member to present to your employees.
• Host a permanent VITA site on location for the local community.
• Sponsor a VITA site financially.

Non-Profit Organizations

• Distribute Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) fliers/brochure.
• Display Earn it. Keep it. Save it. (EIKISI) event posters.
• Feature VITA article in newsletter and/or community newspaper.
• Assist in recruiting volunteers and establishing VITA sites.
• Invite an EIKISI member to present to your employees or at community events.
• Sponsor a VITA site financially.

Religious Institutions

• Distribute Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) flyers/brochure.
• Display Earn it. Keep it. Save it. (EIKISI) event posters.
• Place VITA article in newsletter/bulletin(s).
• Host a temporary VITA site on location to be utilized by the congregation and the community.
• Encourage congregation to volunteer with EIKISI.
• Host a permanent VITA site on location for the local community.

Educational Institutions

• Distribute Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) fliers/brochure.
• Display Earn it. Keep it. Save it. (EIKISI) event posters.
• Send one or more emails reminding students and employees of VITA services.
• Place VITA article in employees’ newsletter and school newspaper.
• Enclose a VITA flier with payroll stuffer.
• Display a VITA reminder on internal computer system.
• Place a link to EIKISI on school website and internal network.
• Host a temporary VITA site on location to be utilized by employees, students and families, and the local community.
• Encourage employees to volunteer with EIKISI.
• Create incentive or credit for students to volunteer with EIKISI (there are many volunteer opportunities that can supplement most coursework).
• Invite an EIKISI member to present to your employees and students.
• Host a permanent VITA site on location for the local community.

Libraries

• Distribute Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) fliers/brochure.
• Display Earn it. Keep it. Save it. (EIKISI) event posters.
• Send one or more emails reminding employees of VITA services.
• Place VITA article article(s) in employees newsletter and patron news.
• Enclose a VITA flier with payroll stuffer.
• Display a VITA reminder on internal computer system.
• Place a link to EIKISI on website and internal network.
• Host a temporary VITA site on location to be utilized by the local community.
• Assist in recruiting volunteers for EIKISI.
• Host a permanent VITA site on location for the local community.

Political Leaders

• Proclamations of major Earn it. Keep it. Save it. (EIKISI) and Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) events.
• Public endorsements of EIKISI, VITA, and the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).
• Mailings encouraging others to become involved with EIKISI.
• Encouraging government employees to volunteer with EIKISI.
• Issuing press releases and conducting interviews promoting EIKISI, VITA, and EITC.