The Earned Income Tax Credit and Free Tax Preparation in Ohio

More working families in Cuyahoga County and Ohio received free tax preparation at volunteer income tax assistance (VITA) sites in 2006 than in any previous year, according to a new report from Policy Matters Ohio. The Cuyahoga EITC Coalition filed more than 5,600 tax returns, a 60 percent increase over previous years. Other counties in Ohio also dramatically increased their free tax preparation services to working families.

Nearly 40 percent of the filers served in Cuyahoga County qualified for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). The Coalition returned more than $6.5 million in total refunds to working families, allowing them to keep their tax return dollars rather than losing money to paid preparers.
 

Press Release

Executive Summary

Full Report

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1/30/2008