Claim It! is a partnership designed to help put more money into the pockets of working families
and individuals—and help improve their financial stability.

Claim It! is just one component of our financial stability goal—one of 10 goals in the Agenda for Lasting Change.

What's at Stake

It comes down to more money in our local economy—desperately needed as our state faces budget shortfalls. Last year, Claim It! brought an additional $34 million back into the pockets of hard-working Twin Cities families.

The average $2,200 credit per family can help pay for basic needs like food or rent, but also provides the opportunity to save for the future, get more training or education, and develop financial assets.

Tax Credits

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) was created to offset the burden of Social Security taxes and provide an incentive to work. This federal tax credit averages $1,700 per family, but can go as high as $4,800. In the past five years, EITC has brought over $1 billion into the greater Twin Cities region.

It's estimated that 18 percent of eligible households don't file for the EITC and the money goes unclaimed. In this state, we're lucky to have an additional available tax credit: Minnesota's Working Family Credit (WFC) provides an estimated $500 credit per family.

Free Tax Preparation Services

Tax preparation services can cost several hundred dollars—for those already struggling to make ends meet, it's a cost they simply can't afford. Claim It! promotes free on-site tax preparation for those who qualify. Over 150 free tax preparation sites are registered to serve eligible taxpayers in the Twin Cities.

Eligibility

• Individuals whose income is less than $30,000
• Families whose income is less than $49,000
• OR you are a senior citizen, have a disability or speak limited or no English.

Results

Entering its fourth year, Claim It! is helping struggling Twin Cities families get their hard-earned dollars back:

• 19,606 people received free tax preparation, an increase of 3,109 people from 2007.
• 143,084 families claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)—a 9.4 percent increase over 2007.
• $1.305 billion was distributed in our local economy. That's an average credit of $2,200 per family!

AccountAbility Minnesota, a key partner in this initiative, increased capacity to reach and serve more eligible families:

• Served 36 percent more taxpayers since 2006, with the total refund value of $15 million.
• Trained more than 400 volunteers.
• Completed 19,638 tax returns through metro-area volunteers.
• Increased taxpayers served in the metro area by 23 percent. Service to self-employed taxpayers increased by 13 percent.

Volunteers Needed

Become a tax site volunteer.
Volunteers are needed to help prepare taxes, greet clients, translate for limited-English speakers and more.
Find more volunteer information through AccountAbility Minnesota.

Program Partners

• AARP Tax-Aide Foundation
• AccountAbility Minnesota
• Children's Defense Fund Minnesota
• City of Minneapolis
• City of St. Paul
• Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis
• Hennepin County
• Internal Revenue Service
• Mid-Minnesota Legal Assistance
• Minnesota Community Action Partnership
• Minnesota Department of Human Services
• Minnesota Department of Revenue
• Ramsey County
• University of Minnesota Extension Service

More Information/Questions

For more information on eligibility requirements or locations, call United Way 2-1-1™.
It's free and confidential. Just dial 2-1-1.  Cell phone users can call 651-291-0211.

Resources:
Tipsheet: Filing Your Taxes
Read about Martha whose annual refund is increasing her income.