Free tax preparation services help tens of thousands of low and moderate-income families have their taxes filed in high quality, non-predatory, community settings. The success of this field has been built on developing technical expertise and peer-to-peer learning opportunities provided by a robust network. As we head into the 2015 tax season, it is more important than ever that the field, especially for those working with EITC eligible filers, have information and technical support resources to reach more low-income families and maintain quality standards.
In March 2014, the National Community Tax Coalition shut its doors leaving the free tax preparation field with no central support and TA institution. Over the past few months, with guidance from the field and charitable foundations, the Corporation forEnterprise Development (CFED) has emerged as the intermediary that will support the field via the new Taxpayer Opportunity Network. This webinar included the following topics covered by CFED’s staff:
- The Taxpayer Opportunity Network’s support for the community tax preparation field;
- Resources available to your grantees; and
- Planning for support of the free tax preparation field beyond the 2015 tax season.