ROAD TO OPPORTUNITY:  FINDING THE WAY FORWARD
Special Edition: Fight Poverty by Supporting VITA sites
May 14, 2019
SUPPORT SENATE AMENDMENT 12
We urge you to support resources for free tax preparation for low-income workers through Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites (1201-0100) -  $800,000  - in the FY20 budget, and Senate Amendment  12  by Senator Diana DiZoglio  and  Senator James Welch .

DID YOU KNOW: Free Tax Prep Fights Poverty
  • Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites provide free tax prep by IRS-certified volunteers.
  • VITA sites provide access to the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Child Tax Credit (CTC) as well as other tax credits.
  • The EITCand the Child Tax Credit CTC have kept 150,000 people out of poverty in MA by helping them to bridge the wage gap.
  • 44% of Americans  cannot cover a $400 unexpected expense.   
For more information and to access the data, "Obstacles on the Road to Opportunity: Finding a Way Forward" published in May 2018

Learn more! Watch our webinar feauring report author, Nancy Wagman, Kids Count Director, MassBudget.
POLICY MATTERS: Creating Opportunity 
The state support and funding for policies and programs that create opportunity is critical.  We are advocating for policies that strengthen families, bridge the wage gap, create economic opportunity and strengthen the human services infrastructure. 

We urge you to support r esources for free tax preparation for low-income workers through Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)  sites (1201-0100) - $800,000 - in the FY20 budget, and Senate Amendment  12  by Senator Diana DiZoglio  and Senator James Welch .

This funding will:
  • allow for $10,000 to support operations at each of the 80 VITA sites.
  • help more low-income tax payers access the recently increased State EITC.
  • bring back millions of dollars to taxpayers and communities.
  • stabilize the network and allow for continued operations leading to expanded services.  Every year some VITA sites cease operations due the limited operating funds. 
MAKING A DIFFERENCE: Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Changes Lives 
Community Action Pioneer Valley (CAPV) VITA site helped a senior woman file her taxes for the past two years. Her only income is Social Security Income and she had no idea she was eligible for the Circuit Breaker tax credit. The CAPV Volunteer preparer not only brought her current with her taxes but through accessing the Circuit Breaker tax credit brought her a return of $2,000.

CONTINUING THE CONVERSATION 
We urge you to support the FY20 priorities so that together we can move forward on the road to opportunity.  Visit our Public Policy Priorities page for more information.
COMMUNITY ACTION IN MA

Our Mission
To strengthen and connect the statewide network of Community Action Agencies and collectively advocate for an end to poverty.

Our Vision
All MA residents will be able to meet their basic needs, access economic opportunities, build strong communities and move toward prosperity...

Find your Agency
There are 23 Community Action Agencies in Massachusetts serving virtually every city and town in the state.   To locate the agency in your area and learn more about the programs they offer,  click here .

Read our 2017 Annual Report
                                              #End PovertyMA