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Community Tax Centers and EITC

It is important to create or expand community tax centers and access to free tax preparation assistance so that all regions of Texas are served. In 2012, community tax center programs in Texas prepared over 114,000 returns resulting in over $85 million in Earned Income Tax Credits, over $32 million in Child Tax Credits, over 5.8 million in Education Tax Credits, and over $217 million in refunds to hard working families. These free tax preparation services also saved participants over $10 million in fees that tax preparers would charge them for their services. There are over 250 VITA sites in Texas, located in over 60 counties throughout the state. In order to reach more Texans, community tax centers need support from public and private entities.

This campaign’s 2013 policy agenda will focus on creating state public policy to support and expand community tax centers across the state and increase the current products and programs.  There were no bills introduced related to community tax centers during the 2011 legislative session.

Bills Introduced During the 83rd Legislative Session:

HB 196 Rep. Farias
Relating to a study on the number of taxpayers claiming the federal earned income tax credit.

HB 271 Rep. Farias
Relating to requiring the comptroller to assess ways to expand the provision of information about the federal earned income tax credit.